THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JULY 2001

Taking the Scriptures to the World, p. 24 One-on-One with Dad, p. 32 The Chosen Seer and ell-Belovedthe “W other Br,” by Robert . TBarrett

The Prophet Joseph Smith and President Brigham Young each drew strength from their association. The Prophet came to rely on the man called in revelation “Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young” (D&C 126:1). President Young testified that his leader “was all that any man could believe him to be, as a true Prophet” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801–1844, ed. Elden J. Watson [1968], 4). THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JULY 2001

VOLUME 31 NUMBER 7 2PORNOGRAPHY, THE DEADLY CARRIER ONTHE COVERS: Front: Photo of scriptures by Matt Reier. President Thomas S. Monson Image composed electronically. Back: Detail from The Second Coming, by Harry Anderson. Inside front: The Chosen 6A LIFE FOUNDED IN LIGHT AND TRUTH Seer and the “Well-Beloved Brother,” by Robert T. Elder Henry B. Eyring Barrett, oil on canvas, 15” x 21”, 1999. Inside back: Carry On, by Glen S. Hopkinson, oil on canvas, 14 THE POWER OF HYMNS Elder Merrill J. Bateman 30” x 40”, 1997. Courtesy of M. Anthony and Joyce Burns. 21 BLESSED BY A HYMN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY: Gordon B. Hinckley, 24 TAKING THE SCRIPTURES TO THE WORLD Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust QUORUM OF THE TWELVE: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. 32 ONE-ON-ONE WITH DAD Thomas B. Holman Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, HOOSING TERNITY M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, 36 C E Sheryle Wickman Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring 38 ANSON CALL: MAN OF ACTION EDITOR: Dennis B. Neuenschwander Thaya Eggleston Gilmore ADVISERS: L. Lionel Kendrick, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, ONE-ON-ONE ROM IGH OPES TO ESPAIR HE ISSOURI John M. Madsen 44 F H H D : T M WITH DAD, P. 32 CURRICULUM DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATORS ERIOD MANAGING DIRECTOR: Ronald L. Knighton P , 1831–39 Alexander L. Baugh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Richard M. Romney 52 LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE Max H Parkin GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Allan R. Loyborg EDITORIAL STAFF 56 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES MANAGING EDITOR: Jay M. Todd MY MENTOR Joaquín Fenollar Bataller ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITORS: Don L. Searle, Jonathan H. Stephenson A FRIEND TO EASE OUR BURDEN Janeen Aggen ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Judith M. Paller, LaRene Porter Gaunt, HE IDDEN OOK Devan Jensen T H B Ruth Dorsett ASSISTANT EDITORS: Rebecca M. Taylor, Kerry G. Smith, TRUSTING THE REST TO THE LORD Rondie S. Rudolph Barbara Jean Jones AW EYOND THE RISON ARS TEXT PROGRAMMER: Sally J. Odekirk I S B P B Pat Anderson DESIGN STAFF 62 NEED A FAMILY DISCUSSION? TRY A CHURCH MAGAZINE MAGAZINE GRAPHICS MANAGER: M. M. Kawasaki ART DIRECTOR: J. Scott Knudsen G. G. Vandagriff SENIOR DESIGNERS: C. Kimball Bott, Fay P. Andrus, 64 LATTER-DAY COUNSEL Tadd R. Peterson DESIGNER: Thomas S. Child 66 COULD I LEARN TO FORGIVE? PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION PRINTING DIRECTOR: Kay W. Briggs Reneé Roy Harding DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR (SUBSCRIPTIONS): Kris T. Christensen 69 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE © 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. BLESSING OUR LIVES AND HOMES The Ensign (ISSN 0884-1136) is published monthly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East WITH SACRED MUSIC North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-3224, ANDOM AMPLER United States of America. Periodicals Postage Paid at 70 R S Salt Lake City, Utah, and at additional mailing offices. 72 A BETTER MOTHER, WITH THE LORD’S HELP All materials may be copied for incidental, noncommercial Cheryl Cole Burr church or home use unless otherwise indicated. Other uses require permission of the copyright owner. 74 NEWS OF THE CHURCH The Ensign (preferred pronunciation: N’sign, not N’sun) will consider unsolicited manuscripts and art, but submis- sions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope if return delivery is desired. Unsolicited manu- scripts and comments may also be submitted via e-mail at FROM HIGH HOPES [email protected]. We encourage inter- TO DESPAIR: THE ested authors to see “Call for Articles,” printed from time to MISSOURI PERIOD, time in “Comment.” 1831–39, P. 44 Unless identified in captions, some persons photographed are models representing the situations portrayed. TO SUBSCRIBE: Send $10.00 U.S. check or money order to Church Magazines (see address below). Subscription help line: 1-800-537-5971. Credit card orders (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) may be taken by phone. Audiocassettes: Individuals with visual impairment or physi- cal disability may obtain half-speed, four-track audiocassettes of the magazine. These are available monthly free of charge or through donations. Write to: Ensign Talking Book (see address below) or call 1-800-537-5971. Regular issues are to reach U.S. and Canadian subscribers by the first of the month, May and November general conference issues about two weeks later. NOTICE OF ADDRESS CHANGES: Sixty days’ notice required. Include address label from a recent issue; old address, as well as new address, is needed. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Salt Lake Distribution Center, Church Magazines, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, Utah 84126-0368, United States of America. CANADA POST INFORMATION: Publication Agreement #1604791 THE ENSIGN/MONTH 2001 1 F IRST P RESIDENCY M ESSAGE

Pornography, THE Deadly Carrier

B Y P RESIDENT suddenly, there appears before us in this generation a T HOMAS S. MONSON sinister and diabolical enemy—pornography. Like the First Counselor in the First Presidency bark beetle, it too is the carrier of a deadly disease. I shall remember reading about woodcut- name it “pernicious permissiveness.” ters laying their massive axes and At first we scarcely realize we have been infected. power saws to the stately and once We laugh and make lighthearted comment concern- mighty elm treesI that graced the countryside sur- ing the off-color story or the clever cartoon. With rounding England’s Heathrow Airport. evangelical zeal we protect the so-called rights of It was said some of the majestic monarchs were over those who would contaminate with smut and destroy 100 years old. One wondered how many persons had all that is precious and sacred. admired their beauty, how many picnics had been en- The beetle of pornography is joyed in their welcome shade, how many generations doing his deadly task—under- of songbirds had filled the air with music while caper- cutting our will, destroying our ing among the outstretched and luxuriant branches. immunity, and stifling that up- Yet the patriarchal elms were dead. Their demise ward reach within each of us. was not the result of old age, recurring drought, or Can this actually be true? the strong winds which occasionally lash the area. Surely this matter of pernicious Their destroyer was much more harmless in appear- permissiveness is not so serious. HENRIE Y R

ance yet deadly in result. We know the culprit as the What are the facts? Let’s look! Let’s A C bark beetle, carrier of the fatal Dutch elm disease. listen! Then let’s act! Y

This malady has destroyed vast elm forests through- TED B

out Europe and America. Its march of death contin- USTRA

PORNOGRAPHY AND CRIME ILL ues. Many efforts at control have failed. Dutch elm disease usually begins with a wilting of Pornography, the carrier, is the younger leaves in the upper part of the tree. Later big business. It is evil. It is the lower branches become infected. In about mid- contagious. It is addicting. summer most of the leaves turn yellow, curl, and It is estimated that in drop off. Life ebbs. Death approaches. A forest is con- sumed. The bark beetle has taken its terrible toll. How like the elm is man. From a minute seed and in accordance with a divine plan, we grow, are nurtured, and mature. The bright sunlight of heaven, the rich blessings of earth are ours. In our private forest of family and friends, life is richly rewarding and abundantly beautiful. Then 2 recent years Americans alone spent $8–10 billion the spectrum of full color combine to produce a prod- per year on hard-core pornography1—a fortune uct certain to be read, then read again. Nor are the siphoned away from noble use and diverted to a movie or Web site producer, the television program- devilish purpose! mer, or the entertainer free from taint. Gone are the Apathy toward pornography stems mostly from a restraints of yesteryear. So-called realism is the quest. widespread public attitude that it is a victimless crime One leading box office star lamented: “The bound- and that police resources are better used in other ar- aries of permissiveness have been extended to the eas. Many state and local ordinances are ineffective, limit. The last film I did was filthy. I thought it was sentences are light, and the huge financial rewards filthy when I read the script, and I still think it’s filthy; far outweigh the risks. but the studio tried it out at a Friday night sneak pre- One study points out that pornography may have view and the audience screamed its approval.” a direct relationship to sex crimes. In the study, 87 per- Another star declared, “Movie makers, like pub- cent of convicted molesters of girls and 77 percent of lishers, are in the business to make money, and they convicted molesters of boys admit to the use of pornog- make money by giving the public what it wants.” raphy, most often in commission of their crimes.2 Some persons struggle to differentiate between Some publishers and printers prosti- what they term “soft-core” and “hard- tute their presses by printing mil- core” pornography. Actually, one lions of pieces of pornography leads to another. How applicable each day. No expense is is Alexander Pope’s classic spared. The finest of paper, “Essay on Man”:

he bark beetle, carrier of the fatal Dutch elm disease,T has destroyed vast elm forests. Like the bark beetle, pornography too is the carrier of a deadly disease.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 3 Vice is a monster of so frightful mien the fatal contamination of the pornography beetle. As to be hated needs but to be seen; May I suggest three specific steps in our battle plan: Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, First, a return to righteousness. An understanding of We first endure, then pity, then embrace.3 who we are and what God expects us to become will prompt us to pray—as individuals and as families. The constant, consuming march of the pornography Such a return reveals the constant truth: “Wickedness beetle blights neighborhoods just as it contaminates never was happiness.”6 Let not the evil one dissuade. human lives. It has just about destroyed some areas. We can yet be guided by that still, small voice—unerr- It moves relentlessly closer to your city, your neighbor- ing in its direction and all-powerful in its influence. hood, and your family. Pornography is now more avail- Second, a quest for the good life. I speak not of the fun able than ever. At the click of a button, evil can be viewed life, the sophisticated life, the popular life. Rather, I in our homes on televisions and computer screens, in our urge each to seek eternal life—life everlasting with hotels and movie theaters, or even in our places of em- mother, father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, sons, ployment, where access to the Internet is often provided. and daughters, forever and forever together. Third, a pledge to wage and win the war against perni- WARNING cious permissiveness. As we encounter that evil carrier, the pornography beetle, let our battle standard and An ominous warning was voiced by Laurence M. that of our communities be taken from that famous Gould, former president of Carleton College: “I do not ensign of early America, “Don’t tread on me.”7 believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs Let us join in the fervent declaration of Joshua: or guided missiles. I don’t think our civilization will “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care. for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”8 Let Arnold Toynbee has pointed out that 19 of 21 civiliza- our hearts be pure. Let our lives be clean. Let our tions have died from within and not by conquest from voices be heard. Let our actions be felt. without. There were no bands playing and flags waving Then the beetle of pornography will be halted in when these civilizations decayed. It happened slowly, in its deadly course. Pernicious permissiveness will have the quiet and the dark when no one was aware.”4 met its match. And we, with Joshua, will safely cross I remember reading a review of a new movie. The leading actress told the reporter that she objected ini- tially to the script and the part she was to play. The role portrayed her as the sexual companion of a 14- year-old boy. She commented: “At first I said, ‘No way will I agree to such a scene.’ Then I was given the assurance that the boy’s mother would be pres- ent during all intimate scenes, so I agreed.” I ask: Would a mother stand by watching were her son embraced by a cobra? Would she subject him to the taste of arsenic or strychnine? Mothers, would you? Fathers, would we? From the past of long ago we hear the echo so relevant today: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children to- gether, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”5 Today we have a rebirth of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah. From seldom-read pages in dusty Bibles they come forth as real cities in a real world, depict- ing a real malady—pernicious permissiveness.

OUR BATTLE PLAN We have the capacity and the responsibility to stand as a bulwark between all we hold dear and 4 over Jordan into the promised land—even to eternal 2. We have the capacity and responsibility to stand life in the celestial kingdom of our God. អ against the fatal contamination of pornography. Gospel topics: pornography, evil, morality, purity 3. Our battle plan includes: NOTES a. An understanding of who we are and what God 1. See U.S. News and World Report, 10 Feb. 1997, 43. expects us to become. 2. William Marshall, “A Report of the Use of Pornography b. Seeking for eternal life—life everlasting with family by Sexual Offenders,” 1983, Ottawa, Canada. 3. In John Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, 16th ed. (1992), 301. members forever and forever together. 4. Institute of Life Insurance advertisement in Scientific c. A purity of heart. Let our lives be clean. Let our American, May 1968, 56. voices be heard. Let our actions be felt. 5. Luke 13:34–35. 6. Alma 41:10. 7. In Familiar Quotations, 779. Discussion Helps 8. Josh. 24:15. 1. Relate your feelings about the evil influence of pornography. DEAS FOR OME EACHERS 2. Are there some scriptures or quotations in this article I H T that the family might read aloud and discuss? Some Points of Emphasis 3. Would this discussion be better after You may wish to make these a previsit chat with the head of the points in your discussions: house? Is there a message from 1. Pornography is a the bishop or quorum leader? sinister enemy. e have the capacity and the responsibility toW stand as a bulwark between all we hold dear and the fatal contamination of the pornography beetle.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 5 ALIFE FOUNDED IN

Light2&Truth

I promise you that as you obey the commandments, you will know the truth and be strengthened and warmed by light and love, which will come from God.

B Y E LDER H ENRY B. EYRING “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ne glance at the newspaper or “And the rain descended, and the floods came, at the television tells us that and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and we live in stormy times. One it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matt. 7:24–27). thought of ourO families grips our hearts with concern for the forces of error that beat upon them. All of us LINE UPON LINE know that we must build our lives on a solid founda- tion of truth to be safe. And we are under covenant Obedience to commandments is the way we build to be witnesses of truth to others as long as we live. a foundation of truth. Here is the way that works, in It won’t protect them just to have our witness of words so simple that a child could understand: The truth unless they build their lives on it. So there are truth of most worth is to know God our Heavenly few questions as important as this one: How does a Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and Their plan for us to person build a life founded on truth? It won’t sur- have eternal life with Them in families. When God prise you that the answer is simple enough for a communicates that priceless truth to us, He does it child to understand but that applying it is easy only by the Spirit of Truth. We have to ask for it in prayer. to a person who has the heart of a child. Then He sends us a small part of that truth by the Jesus Christ answered the question of how to Spirit. It comes to our hearts and minds. It feels good, build on a foundation of truth with a story. You not like the light from the sun shining through the only can remember it, but you can visualize it, espe- clouds on a dark day. He sends truth line upon line, cially if you’ve ever lived on a floodplain or in tor- like the lines on the page of a book. Each time a line nado country. of truth comes to us, we get to choose what we will “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of do about it. If we try hard to do what that truth re- mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise quires of us, God will send more light and more man, which built his house upon a rock: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, he Savior said that the man who obeyed His command- and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and ments built on a rock so solid that no storm or flood it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Tcould hurt his house.

6

truth. It will go on, line after line, as long as we choose “And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and to obey the truth. That is why the Savior said that as they were, and as they are to come; the man who obeyed His commandments built on “And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit a rock so solid that no storm or flood could hurt his of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning. house. “The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of In another place in the scriptures, the Lord truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He re- described in a beautiful way how that foundation ceived a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; could be built so that we could finally come to “And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth know all He knows and become like Him and our his commandments. Heavenly Father: “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth “I give unto you these sayings that you may un- truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and derstand and know how to worship, and know what knoweth all things” (D&C 93:24–28). you worship, that you may come unto the Father in Here is President Joseph F. Smith’s description of my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. the work it takes to build an imperishable foundation “For if you keep my commandments you shall re- of truth: ceive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in “The men and the women who are honest before the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive God, who humbly plod along, doing their duty, pay- grace for grace” (D&C 93:19–20). ing their tithing, and exercising that pure religion And then a few verses later the Lord says: and undefiled before God and the Father, which is STEVE BUNDERSON Y BASED ON PHOTO B

8 to visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflic- “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat con- tions and to keep oneself unspotted from the world, cerning these things; I would show unto the world and who help look after the poor, and who honor that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; the holy Priesthood, who do not run into excesses, wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye re- who are prayerful in their families, and who ac- ceive no witness until after the trial of your faith” knowledge the Lord in their hearts, they will build (Ether 12:4–6). up a foundation that the gates of hell cannot prevail There is another reason why it is not easy for the against; and if the floods come and the storms beat proud to build on a foundation of truth. It is because upon their house, it shall not fall, for it will be built the enemy of righteousness also works in little steps, upon the rock of eternal truth” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th so small that they are hard to notice if you are think- ed. [1939], 7–8). ing only about yourself and how great you are. Just President Smith made building on a foundation as truth is given to us line upon line and the light of truth sound like a long list brightens slowly as we obey, of things to do. He seems to be even so, as we disobey, our describing work. I remember testimony of truth lessens al- President Ezra Taft Benson f we can see teenagers as most imperceptibly, little by saying with a smile about his faithful warriors from the little, and darkness descends service, “I love this work. And premortalI existence, we may also so slowly that the proud may it is work.” see their claims of independence easily deny that anything is Yet you will notice that the as a sign of their potential, a sign changing. work is simple obedience. It I have heard the boast of a is not complicated things; it is that they are testing the power of man who walked away from not fancy things or getting agency which will bring them the Church slowly, at first just great spiritual manifestations. happiness. That is hard, because ceasing to teach his Sunday This is work within the abili- we know the risk should School class and then staying ties of the most humble and they choose sin. away from Church and then the least educated. forgetting tithing now and then. Along the way he would IT TAKES HUMILITY say to me: “I feel just as spiri- tual as I did before I stopped It sounds so simple to build upon a foundation of those things and just as much at peace. Besides, I en- truth that you may wonder why everyone doesn’t joy Sundays more than I did; it’s more a day of rest.” succeed. For one thing, it takes great humility. It’s Or, “I think I’ve been blessed temporally as much or hard to repent, to admit you are wrong on faith more as I was when I was paying tithing.” He could alone, before the evidence of a feeling of being for- not sense the difference, but I could. The light in his given and light comes. But that is the way it has to eyes and even the shine in his countenance were be. First comes obedience and then come the con- dimming. He could not tell, since one of the effects firming assurances, the revelation of truth, and the of disobeying God seems to be the creation of just blessing of light. enough spiritual anesthetic to block any sensation as That is so because God gave us agency, not just the ties to God are being cut. Not only did the testi- as a right but as a necessity. We must choose with our mony of truth slowly erode, but even the memories agency to obey in faith that the promised blessing will of what it was like to be in the light began to seem to come, that the promise is true because it comes from him like a delusion. God. You remember the words of the scripture in Ether, the 12th chapter, which tell us both why that is HELPING YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN hard and why it is necessary: “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with More than a few of those slides down the path surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at of disobedience come in the years of transition from the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, childhood to maturity. How often have you heard a maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would parent describe a child’s tragic journey into years of make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in sin and sorrow by saying, “It began when he was good works, being led to glorify God. 16,” or “It began when she was 14.” And yet in those “And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great same years the young man or the young woman and marvelous things unto the people, which they who chooses obedience can build a foundation of did not believe, because they saw them not. truth to last in the years ahead, and many do. It is

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 9 not by accident that seminary across the world is of- forbidden. It may come with the mere appearance fered to young Latter-day Saints in those years. They of authority, of anyone telling them what they are at risk in that time of transition; yet the very must do. source of that risk creates an opportunity for them Our opportunity and theirs lies in their seeing a and for us who serve them. simple truth. It is their life to live, and yet they live Agency is the source of that risk. It is so priceless it with two powerful opposing forces pulling on a gift from our Heavenly Father that a war in heaven them. One is from God, who loves and will not was fought to defend it. Lucifer sought to take it compel and who offers eternal life through the plan from us and to take for himself the honor and glory of salvation. That plan depends on the Atonement of our Father. The teenager you love may well have made by the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the teenager’s been one of the valiant warriors on the side of choice to follow Him. The other, a terrible power, agency and truth. Satan seems to feel he can win a will use deception, force, and hatred to bring them double victory by drawing teenagers into sin. He can into bondage and misery. And the teenager is free destroy one of his antagonists and in the process try to choose. to prove the Father wrong, prove that the risk of The opportunity is in their seeing that reality, but agency was too great. that is also the problem. It takes the revelation of We can help by seeing clearly the opportunity. truth from God for the teenager to see those oppos- The teenager who begins to say, “It’s my life to live, ing forces as real. Once seen, the choice will be obvi- my choices to make,” is speaking the truth, a won- ous. But many young people have little experience derful truth. The choice to do good is the only way with persisting in obedience, when the truth must be to build a life on the foundation of truth and light. taken on faith alone until truth is revealed to them. Yet these words can strike fear into a parent or a The opportunity lies in their sensing what they once bishop or a Young Women leader who loves the knew, that the power to choose is a gift from God to teenager. That outburst of independence usually bring them happiness in this life and in the life to comes when a rule is announced or something is come with Him.

10 We can help by the way we react to their determi- with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also nation to choose for themselves. They will sense be judged” (Moro. 7:17–18). whether we see them as if they could well have been The warning not to judge what is of God to one of the faithful warriors from the premortal exis- be evil nor what is from the devil to be good is a tence, committed still to the defense of moral agency helpful caution to those of us who would help the and aware of its great value to bring them happiness. young learn to choose the right. They will see some If we can see them as faithful warriors from the pre- choices as good, or at least neutral, which we may mortal existence, we may also see their claims of inde- see at first as evil. Before we begin to force a choice pendence as a sign of their potential, a sign that they with what authority we may have, it will be wise are testing the power of agency which will bring to apply the test found in Moroni ourselves. More them happiness. That is hard, because we know the than once I have been restrained and more than risk should they choose sin. But when fear for them once I have been energized to action by those prac- comes, as it does, it helps for tical rules. What I at first us to remember and take com- thought was evil became clear fort that there are opposing to me as being neutral. And pulls. There is an influence of evil know now why my mother what I had thought was neu- in the world, but there is also in smiled so happily when she tral was revealed to me as the world and across all creation sawI me trying to dig those roots inviting to do evil. And when the powerful light of Christ. out with my fingers in tearful the teenager knew I would frustration. She knew something apply the test myself in hu- A SCRIPTURAL TEST mility, it was more likely that about the teenage years that they would try the test for ONE CAN APPLY were coming and what it themselves. Our young people were would take in dogged persis- Our best hope is that they born with access to the Light tence to build a foundation of will follow our example of of Christ. Because of that, they light and truth. humbly seeking to know if the have in them the power to ap- choice they are considering ply for themselves this test will draw them nearer to God given in the book of Moroni, or away from Him. If they do if they believe they can and what we have done—pray in if they choose to do it: faith—light and truth will come to them. And if they “Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of obey, not only will more truth come but they will God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for have learned how to build their lives on a foundation the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against of truth. him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. OBEDIENCE “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and en- ticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing The teenager most likely to have that happy ex- which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love perience will have been given earlier, in childhood, God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. the chance to gain self-discipline enough to persist “Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that in obedience, even when at first no good result ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or seems to come. I know now why my mother had that which is good and of God to be of the devil” me weeding on my knees for what seemed like (Moro. 7:12–14). hours in a wet garden with rows that seemed to And then a few verses later: stretch to forever, while the weeds broke off in my “But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, hand with roots still in the ground. I know now and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve why she smiled so happily when she saw me try- not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowl- ing to dig those roots out with my fingers in tearful edge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the frustration. She knew something about the teenage devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, years that were coming and what it would take in not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who dogged persistence to build a foundation of light subject themselves unto him. and truth. I don’t necessarily recommend weeding “And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the or hard labor for little children, but I offer thanks to light by which ye may judge, which light is the light my mother now, which I was not wise enough to do of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for when I was in the garden.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 11 It would be wrong to suggest that it is easy to There is a connection between nurturing people in help young people obey long enough to qualify for light and truth and the way we teach obedience. Wise the revelation of truth. Nor can I possibly suggest all mission presidents learn that early. In a mission, obe- that you may be led by the Spirit to do to help them. dience is essential for the safety of the missionaries, if But I can give this counsel: Above all, you can love for no other reason. There are rules for staying with a them. You can believe and follow the truth in the companion. There are rules about where a missionary encouraging view of President Gordon B. Hinckley: can go. There are rules about driving cars. There are “I love the youth of the Church. I have said rules about when a missionary should be out of the again and again that I think we have never had place he or she lives and when to be back at night a better generation than this. How grateful I am and when to go to bed. for your integrity, for your ambition to train your The great opportunity in teaching obedience to minds and your hands to do good work, for your missionaries is to help them see the connection be- love for the word of the Lord.” tween the Savior, the companionship of the Spirit, President Hinckley went on to say that he had and love. It is to teach them that obedience to the “tremendous respect for fathers and mothers who are commands of the Father and His Son out of love for nurturing their children in light and truth, . . . who Them brings the Spirit. The companionship of the spare the rod and govern with love, who look upon Spirit will bring light and truth, the foundation of their little ones as their most valued assets to be pro- successful missionary work and of a happy life. It tected, trained, and blessed” (“This Is the Work of the can be taught in simple matters. Missionaries can Master,” Ensign, May 1995, 70). put on their seat belts because they remember the VE DORÉ A GUST

BY TH, ABBA UCK CORN ON THE S THE DISCIPLES PL AIL FROM BASED ON DET

12 safety video from the last zone conference. Or they you will have His Spirit to be with you. You are com- can do it because they love the mission president manded to pray that you may have the Holy Ghost. and he told them to do it. It is a completely different You are commanded to pray that you might not be experience to do it because they think of the Savior’s overcome by temptation and so be clean and worthy love and that He cares so much for their service and of the Holy Spirit. You are commanded to study the that He loves them so much that He wants them to word of God that you may have His Spirit. I would be safe. The truth is that He needs us. He loves us. not set one commandment above another, but I When missionaries feel that love of the Savior as might put some earlier in my efforts if they carry they buckle up, they are more than safe in the car. with them the promise of the companionship of the They will be safe against the power of evil in the Holy Ghost. The Comforter will lead us to truth and ministry, and they will be safe against more dangers light and will help us obey our Father in Heaven and than traffic accidents. They will have learned His Beloved Son. We will come to love Them and obedience to the Lord. They those around us as we serve will encounter other rules and Them, and thus we will keep there will be other presidents, the great commandments. but the loving Savior will not esus Christ is the Savior of Life will have its storms. We change, and He will always the world. He came down can and must have confidence. be there. intoJ mortality, where we would God our Heavenly Father has have been forever lost without given us the right to know the OBEY SPIRITUAL PROMPTINGS truth. He has shown that the Him, to give us the incompre- way to receive that truth is You can test what I am say- hensible gift of the Atonement. simple, so simple that a child ing. When the Spirit is invited He went below all things so can follow it. Once it is fol- into a meeting, truth is com- that we might be exalted if lowed, more light comes from municated beyond what is we choose to follow Him. God to enlighten the under- said aloud. In your Church standing of His faithful spirit meetings, write down impres- child. That light will become sions or thoughts that you feel brighter even as the world came from God. And, remem- darkens. The light that comes to bering what we have said us with truth will be brighter about building a foundation, think carefully about than the darkness that comes from sin and error whether the truth you received requires action. It is around us. A foundation built on truth and illumi- by obedience to commandments that we qualify for nated by the light of God will free us from the fear further revelation of truth and light. In a recent that we might be overcome. meeting you may have committed to act on some- I testify that God the Father lives. He knows us. thing you felt was true. Then more truth came to We are His beloved children. His Son, Jesus Christ, is you. That process may slow or stop if, as you go out the Savior of the world. He came down into mortal- into daily life, you fail to keep the silent commit- ity, where we would have been forever lost without ments you made with God. God not only loves the Him, to give us the incomprehensible gift of the obedient, He enlightens them. I fear that more peo- Atonement. He went below all things so that we ple make promises to God than keep them, so you might be exalted if we choose to follow Him. I testify will please Him when you are the exception and you that He lives. I know that we will all be resurrected keep your promise to obey. You should test those im- to stand before Him. I know that we can be washed pressions of what you should do against a simple clean if we repent and do what we are commanded, standard: Is it what the Master has commanded in to claim the precious gift of forgiveness. I know that the accepted revelations, and is it clearly within my the keys of the holy priesthood are on the earth, calling in His kingdom? that Gordon B. Hinckley is the Lord’s prophet Keeping some commandments has greater power and exercises those keys. Joseph Smith was and to build your foundation on truth and light. You is a true prophet. I promise you that as you obey could think of those as enabling commandments, the commandments, you will know the truth and because they build your power to keep other com- be strengthened and warmed by light and love, mandments. Whatever invites the Holy Ghost to be which will come from God. អ your companion will bring you greater wisdom and From a talk given at a Brigham Young University devotional on greater ability to obey God. For instance, you are 15 August 2000. promised that if you always remember the Savior, Gospel topics: truth, agency, obedience, spiritual promptings

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 13 Church hymns are a form of worship. They serve as a prayer of thanks and an expression of commitment.

The Power of

14 B Y E LDER M ERRILL J. BA TEMAN classical experience is qualitatively different than listening Of the Seventy to one of my favorite hymns. The difference may be due partially to familiarity, it may be the poetic message of the ome time ago I attended a concert hymn, it may be that the music and words open the door featuring classical music with a for Spirit to speak to spirit. Whatever it is, most hymns religious theme. As the end of the touch my inner being, bringing peace, feelings of grati- concert approached,S a friend nearby leaned over and tude, and a sense of awe for the goodness of the Lord. I said: “The last number will be a well-known hymn. cherish the sacred feelings that accompany Church music. You will feel the Spirit enter the room.” As the orchestra The experience with the hymn at the concert re- played the hymn, the words associated with the music minds me of an earlier experience. Many years ago, were on the minds and lips of everyone. A special while living in the East, I attended a stake conference spirit entered the room, and a feeling of reverence en- that left an indelible impression with regard to the sa- compassed the audience as they quietly contemplated cred role played by music in a Church setting. Elder the message. My spirit resonated with the music Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the words as I softly hummed the melody. was the visiting authority. Fifteen minutes before the I enjoy classical music. I appreci- general session began, Elder Packer took his place on the ate listening to a great orchestra stand along with the stake presidency. Many in the con- playing Beethoven, Mozart, gregation had traveled 75 to 100 miles to attend and or Tchaikovsky. But the were engaged in conversation with friends from other wards and branches. Some were seated, while others were visiting with friends as they entered the chapel. The organist had chosen various Bach selections for the prelude and was absorbed in presenting a Bach concert. As the music crescendoed it forced the members visiting with each other to raise their voices. The louder the din, the more determined the organist, and the volume of voices and music rose higher and higher. Five minutes before the session was to begin, Elder Packer suddenly stood up and approached the podium. He asked the organist to stop. He asked the congregation to cease speaking and find their seats. He spoke clearly and firmly to the congregation, reminding them of their need to be reverent and prepare for the general session. He then turned toward the organ and told the organist that he had a special responsi- bility to bring the Spirit into the build- ing and prepare the members for the meeting. Elder Packer continued, “This can be accomplished best by playing hymns.” He then sug- gested that hymns be a central part of the prelude for subsequent conferences in that stake. In the intervening years, that ex- perience has returned often in mem- ory and caused me to reflect on the various sacred and important roles performed by hymns both in Church settings and in our per- sonal lives. Church hymns are a form of wor- CRAIG DIMOND m s ship; they serve as a prayer of thanks and an Y y n expression of commitment. Many hymns H build unity among the Saints as well as build PHOTO B

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 15 a community of Saints. They invite the Spirit into meet- Twelve Apostles spoke of his first trip to Brazil to ings and into our lives. They teach doctrine. Hymns attend a regional conference. He states: “Over three often express testimony and may even be a form of thousand Saints gathered for a regional conference. protection or a source of comfort and healing. The printed program listed the musical numbers, I wish to comment on some of these roles and bear but the Portuguese words meant nothing to me. But witness of the power of Church music. I begin with when their beautiful choir began to sing, the music music as a form of worship. crossed all barriers of language and spoke to my soul:

MUSIC AS A FORM OF WORSHIP The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Lo, Zion’s standard is unfurled! . . . Each time I hear “How Great Thou Art,” some- The dawning of a brighter day thing happens inside. I think my spirit becomes taut Majestic rises on the world.3 like a string on a violin and begins vibrating with the beauty of the music and the hope expressed in Another hymn which binds both Saints and mis- Stuart Hine’s words. In particular, the third and sionaries together is “Called to Serve.”4 A few years fourth verses, combined with the lyrical nature of the ago when Elder Packer was assigned to the Missionary chorus, cause my spirit to swell with deep apprecia- Department, he felt the need for a missionary anthem. tion for the Lord’s Atonement and mercy: As he and Sister Packer discussed what a special hymn could accomplish, she reminded him of “Called to And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Serve.” He knew immediately that it was the appro- Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, priate song. I remember being in the BYU stadium in That on the cross my burden gladly bearing 1997 for the pioneer sesquicentennial celebration. After He bled and died to take away my sin, . . . various vignettes depicting the pioneer beginnings When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and subsequent Church history, the last number in- And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! cluded all of the missionaries from the Missionary Then I shall bow in humble adoration Training Center marching into the stadium carrying And there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!”1 flags of the various nations and singing “Called to Serve.” Instantaneously 60,000 people in the stands Music is one of the most effective forms of worship. stood on their feet and began cheering the missionar- In our hymns, we praise God, give thanks for His love ies. This was followed by the audience joining in and mercy. I am impressed with this statement by singing the hymn with them. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Each time that hymn is sung, my chest becomes Apostles: “Sacramental hymns are . . . like prayers, . . . heavy and a lump enters my throat as I see in my and everyone can give voice to a prayer!”2 Although mind’s eye 50,000 or more missionaries scattered across I had thought of some hymns as prayers, I had not the earth teaching the gospel. I see mothers waiting for thought of each sacramental hymn in that form. And the weekly letter and dads embracing sons and daugh- yet it is! Like the chiasmatic writing structure of old, ters as they leave the airport and when they return. I the sacrament, the central feature of our key weekly see missionaries knocking on doors and stopping peo- meeting, occurs near the center. In an important way, ple in the street. I see men and women clothed in white it is the climactic feature of the service. As the priests standing in baptismal fonts, near the beach, or at the break the bread, the entire congregation is given the river’s edge. I envision happy people of every opportunity to voice their prayerful thanks through race, color, and nation new to the gospel music. Sacramental hymns focus our attention on the but embraced by other Saints who, Lord, His atoning sacrifice, and the gospel plan. like them, are also converts.

MUSIC BUILDS UNITY AND A COMMUNITY OF SAINTS In the process of singing together, a spirit of unity builds within the Saints. This occurs not only within a ward and stake but across the world. We can travel the earth from Sunday to Sunday, and wherever we are the music of the hymns will be familiar. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the

16 atthew indicates that the Lord and His ApostlesM concluded the Last Supper with a hymn. TER RANE L A W BY ANCE OF ME, IN REMEMBR

CHURCH MUSIC TEACHES DOCTRINE witness through music of their gratitude to be guided Church music is powerful. It not only builds unity “in these latter days.” Sacramental hymns take on among the Saints but also contributes to a community more meaning when sung in the presence of priests of Saints. The scriptures teach that the Lord expects breaking bread in remembrance of the broken flesh. us to become a “peculiar treasure” and a “holy nation” The Topics guide in the hymnbook illustrates the (Ex. 19:5–6; 1 Pet. 2:9). We are a people bound together wide variety of doctrines taught. Doctrinal topics from by covenant with special attributes, attitudes, and a “Aaronic Priesthood” to “Zion” are covered in the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. hymnbook. There is an appropriate hymn for every oc- Hymns aid in this process by teaching doctrine casion. For instance, if you had been invited to the Last under the influence of the Spirit. My faith in and Supper, what hymns from our hymnbook might have commitment to Christ deepen when I sing “I Believe been appropriate? What about “How Great the Wisdom in Christ.”5 My belief in eternal families grows as I and the Love”or “Though Deepening Trials” or “Be Still, sing “Families Can Be Together Forever.”6 The hymn My Soul.”9 It is an interesting exercise to review our “I Stand All Amazed”7 produces a sense of amaze- hymns and find those appropriate for that setting. ment within me as I contemplate the “love Jesus of- It is likely that many hymns were sung that fers me” and am “confused at the grace that so fully evening. Matthew indicates that the Lord and His he proffers me,” in that I do not fully understand it. Apostles concluded the Last Supper with a hymn be- Hymns teach doctrine not only by word but also fore leaving for the Mount of Olives (see Matt. 26:30). via the setting. The message inherent in “We Thank What did they sing? Although we have no way of Thee, O God, for a Prophet”8 is enhanced by the pres- knowing the concluding hymn, we do know one ence of the prophet. It is a wonderful experience to be song. It is called the Hallel, which consists of Psalms at general conference just prior to the opening of a 113–18. From before the time of Christ down to the session and see the congregation rise and thank God present day, it is traditional for Jewish families to sing for a living prophet as the Lord’s anointed climbs the Psalms 113–14 before the Passover meal and Psalms steps to the podium, or to be in the Marriott Center at 115–18 after. Why are these hymns important to the Brigham Young University and feel the Holy Spirit as celebration? What is their message? President Gordon B. Hinckley walks from the tunnel Psalms 113–14 praise God for delivering Israel to the stand as 22,000 students, faculty, and staff bear from the Egyptians. They indicate that He rules both

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 17 ymns invite the Spirit into meetings andH into our lives.

18 water and land in that He parted the Red Sea for Israel man at the temple but also of the Jewish leaders’ rejec- to pass through and brought forth water when Moses tion of Christ. Of greatest importance is Peter’s testi- struck the rock at Meribah (see Ex. 14:21–22; 17:6–7). mony that salvation comes only through Him who is At the Passover meal, one would expect Israel to be the chief cornerstone. singing about deliverance from the angel of death, preservation in the desert, the parting of the Red Sea, HYMNS FACILITATE THE BEARING OF TESTIMONY and the greatness of the God of Jacob. In fact, the angel of death’s Passover in Egypt was a Just as Peter was able to bear testimony through the messianic type. After the meal, the hymns turn to the use of a hymn, so our hymns allow us to bear testimony. ultimate deliverance of the soul (Ps. 116:4), the break- May I close with one of my favorite stories, which illus- ing of the bonds of death, both physical (Ps. 116:8, 16) trates the power of hymns in testimony bearing. and spiritual (Ps. 118:22, 29). The Atonement, repre- This story concerns a young girl, the fourth child in a sented by the cup of salvation, is the centerpiece of the family of six children. Her name is Heather. Three of the festivities following the meal. All who celebrated the children, including Heather, suffered from a rare disease Passover that evening in A.D. 33 would have sung called glutaric acidemia. In each case, the onset of the about “the stone which the builders refused,” which disease occurred during the first year of life when an became “the head stone of the corner” enzyme attacked the brain, causing (Ps. 118:22). The stone or rock, which is paralysis. The disease results in acid Christ, was refused or crucified by the forming in the muscles similar to that builders, the Jewish leaders. As a result, which occurs following a period of Christ became the chief cornerstone or intense physical activity. The problem name by which salvation comes. faced by the children was that the Imagine, if you will, the Savior of acid never leaves and causes great the world singing these hymns with pain. Cindy, the first child with the His disciples, which foreshadowed the disease, died at the age of 23. She events that followed later that evening was one of the oldest living persons and the next day. All members of the known with the disease. At death Jewish faith participated in these she weighed about 40 pounds. events. They committed to memory Soon after Heather’s birth, the these Psalms. They understood the parents realized that she would be meaning of them. physically handicapped and that A few months after the Passover her spirit would be housed in a feast, Peter used Psalm 118 to defend body with great restrictions. As himself before the Jewish leaders. lthough unable to speak, she grew, she was confined to a When Peter and John healed a lame Heather was able to express wheelchair, was unable to speak, man at the temple, they were brought herA testimony through a hymn. and could send messages only before the leaders of the Sanhedrin with her eyes. A direct gaze and and asked to give an accounting of the power and au- a smile meant yes. A blink meant no. Despite the handi- thority by which the miracle was performed. Peter was caps, one could feel her vibrant spirit. clear and direct in his answer: As Heather progressed, it became obvious to her “If we this day be examined of the good deed done parents that she was extraordinarily bright. She would to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; play guessing games with the family using her limited “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of means to communicate. When she was old enough, Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the parents enrolled Heather in a special school to see whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, if she could learn to speak. The teacher was a gifted even by him doth this man stand here before you therapist. One morning as Heather and the teacher whole.” visited about the prior weekend, the teacher learned Then Peter referred to Psalm 118, verse 22, which that Heather had attended Primary. The teacher then these Jewish leaders knew well, having sung the verse sang for Heather “When He Comes Again.”10 in the context of the Passover a few months earlier: The expression on Heather’s face revealed the de- “This is the stone which was set at nought of you light within her. When the teacher asked Heather if she builders, which is become the head of the corner. had a favorite song, the young girl’s wide eyes and en- “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is gaging smile left little doubt. But what was the song? none other name under heaven given among men, Through a series of questions, the teacher learned that CRAIG DIMOND

Y whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:9–12). Heather’s song was one she had heard in Primary. She By the use of a hymn, Peter bore testimony not wasn’t sure which songbook it was in, but it was about

PHOTO B only of the power by which he had healed the lame Jesus. The teacher sang all the songs she could think of,

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 19 but to no avail. However, Heather was not about to quit; ‘Heather, you’re special’?” she wanted to share her favorite song. At the end of the The answer again was yes. day, the two were still searching. The teacher agreed to Finally the teacher asked, “Does He say, ‘Heather, bring her songbooks to school the next day. be patient; I have great things in store for you’?” On the following morning, Heather and her Heather summoned all her strength, and her head teacher continued the quest. From the first hymn to became erect and her eyes penetrated the teacher’s the last, the little girl blinked her eyes, indicating no. soul. She knew she was loved, she was special, and They were still unsuccessful. Finally, the teacher told she needed only to be patient.12 Heather that her mother would have to help her find Tw o years later, Heather died because of the ravages the song and then they would sing it. of the disease. Her younger brother Mark also suffers The next day Heather arrived with the green from the disease but not to the extent of his older sisters. Church hymnal tucked in her chair, but there was no He can talk, although it is not easy. As the parents dis- marker. So they began with the first hymn. The teacher cussed Heather’s passing and the funeral that would would sing the first part of each song, and Heather take place, Mark exclaimed, “No go Heather’s funeral!” would give her answer. After the first Heather was his best friend. As the 100 hymns, there were 100 no’s. After parents tried to explain death to him, 200 hymns there had been 200 no’s. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT he would not be consoled. He was Finally, the teacher began to sing, Most Ensign articles crushed and did not want to attend 11 “There is sunshine in my soul today.” can be used for family home the service. For two days he could not Heather’s body jumped, and a big smile evening discussion. The be persuaded. crossed her face. Her eyes gazed di- following questions are for On the morning of the funeral, rectly into the teacher’s, indicating suc- that purpose or for personal the father went to Mark’s room to cess after three days of searching. Both reflection: get him up. As he entered the room, teacher and student rejoiced. 1. How does the playing Mark was sitting up in bed with a As the teacher sang the first verse and singing of sacred music big smile on his face. His first words and began the chorus, Heather mus- affect the mood in our weekly were, “Dad, go Heather’s funeral!” tered all her strength and joined in worship services? The father responded, “Mark, with a few sounds. After finishing the 2. How can we person- what has changed your mind?” first verse and chorus, the teacher ally feel and benefit from “Dad, had dream.” asked if she wanted to hear the rest of the messages of the hymns? “What did you dream about, Mark?” the verses, and Heather’s eyes opened 3. What memories do “Dad, dreamed about Heather.” wide with a firm yes. The teacher be- you have of music uplifting “Mark, what was Heather doing?” gan to sing: or strengthening you in “Oh, Dad, Heather running and times of trial? jumping and singing, ‘There is sun- There is music in my soul today, shine in my soul today.’ Dad, go A carol to my King, Heather’s funeral.”13 And Jesus listening can hear May we rejoice in the power of sacred hymns to lift The songs I cannot sing. our souls and to bear testimony. Truly “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto [God], and it shall be answered Heather’s reaction to these lines was so strong that with a blessing upon [our] heads” (D&C 25:12). អ the teacher stopped. As the reality and significance of Gospel topics: hymns, music, worship the words pressed on the teacher’s mind, she asked: From a talk at the Workshop on Church Music at Brigham Young “Heather, is that what you like about the song? Is that University on 4 August 1998. what you want me to know? Does Jesus listen? Does NOTES He hear the songs you cannot sing?” 1. Hymns, no. 86. 2. “‘This Do in Remembrance of Me,’” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68. The direct, penetrating gaze indicated yes. 3. “Worship through Music,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 9; see also Feeling guided by the Spirit, the teacher asked, Hymns, no. 1. “Heather, does Jesus talk to you in your mind and in 4. Hymns, no. 249. 5. Hymns, no. 134. your heart?” 6. Hymns, no. 300. Again, the child’s look was penetrating. 7. Hymns, no. 193. The teacher then asked, “Heather, what does He say?” 8. Hymns, no. 19. 9. Hymns, no. 195, 122, 124. The teacher’s heart pounded as she saw the clear 10. Children’s Songbook, 82. look in Heather’s eyes as the little girl awaited the 11. Hymns, no. 227. questions that would allow her to share her insights. 12. Adapted from Jean Ernstrom, “Jesus, Listening, Can Hear,” Ensign, June 1988, 46. “Does Jesus say, ‘Heather, I love you’?” 13. Mark’s part of the story was obtained through conversations Heather’s radiant eyes widened, and she smiled. with the parents and also from a book written by the parents: After a pause, the teacher asked next, “Does He say, Bruce and Joyce Erickson, When Life Doesn’t Seem Fair (1995), 65–66.

20 CHARLES M. BAIRD Y Blessed by a Hymn

Three members share experiences MODELS; ELECTRONIC COMPOSITION B

Y in which hearts have been touched by sacred hymns.

ONG OF A OLDIER

CRAIG DIMOND, POSED B S S Y n June 1945, during World War II, I was with a group of 13 Marines attached to the infantry. It was our job to do the demolition and mine disposal PHOTOGRAPHY B Iwork. Tired, hungry, and dirty, we had been at the front lines of the fighting in Okinawa and were now falling back and being replaced with other infantrymen. We had marched most of the night in the rain on our way to the northern end of Okinawa, away from the fighting. Finally we came to a large open field that had once been a rice paddy. We flopped to the ground, pulled our ponchos over ourselves, and slept. The sun was shining brightly the next day when I was awakened by the sound of someone singing. I looked out over the 2,000 men who lay sleeping, steam rising from their wet bodies, and saw a dirty, tired Marine with blond whiskers singing:

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear; But with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. . . .

ne by one, soldiers beganO singing the hymn along with the Marine.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 21 I could not believe my ears! I had not heard that any of those Latter-day Saints again. But the memory hymn since I left my home. I got up, staggered over to of that impromptu meeting, which began with a where the Marine was, and joined him in singing the simple but powerful hymn, will remain with me hymn. Soon another soldier joined us, and another, forever.—Blaine Hill, Taylorsville 12th Ward, and another, until finally about 20 of us were singing Taylorsville Utah West Stake together:

And should we die before our journey’s through, A HYMN FOR MY MOTHER Happy day! All is well! ne day when I was about 10 years old, I heard We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; my mother crying. Peeking at her from an- With the just we shall dwell! other room, I could see she was alone. I stood But if our lives are spared again thereO for a moment, wanting to comfort her but not To see the Saints their rest obtain, knowing what to do. Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell— As I turned away and walked near the piano, I had All is well! All is well! a strong feeling that I should play a hymn. I had been (Hymns, no. 30) taking piano lessons for several years and could play most of the hymns in the hymnbook. I thought it un- When we finished the hymn, we stood in the steam- usual that I was prompted exactly which hymn to play, ing sunshine and joined with one another in a humble, but I obeyed the feeling and enthusiastically played all churchlike meeting. We sought the Lord with an three verses. When I finished, I quietly put the bench opening prayer, told each other our names and where back under the piano and went on to other things. we were from, and bore our testimonies to each other. A few hours later, my mother, smiling now, ques- Then we remembered it was Sunday morning. The tioned me as to why I had played that hymn at that men nearby began to grumble because we had awak- particular time. I told her I had had the feeling that I ened them, but in that former rice paddy, thousands of should. The answer seemed to please her, and she miles away from home, we had the most moving testi- beamed. She told me she had been praying about a mony meeting I have ever been to in all my life. problem that had made her cry and that Heavenly We then went about our business, and I never saw Father had communicated His love to her through a

obeyed the prompting to play Ia particular hymn.

22 piece of sacred music. She was comforted, and I was amazed at the learned how the Spirit of the Lord can quietly effect a simple touch a heart through a hymn.—Barbara Blackburn, IPrimary song had on Pioneer First Ward, Provo Utah Central Stake my young student. “SING MORE!” everal years ago I worked as an aide in a program for youth with developmental diffi- culties. One of the students, David,* was autisticS and had limited verbal skills. He was a daily challenge for all the aides to handle because instead of sitting still to work, he often would run around the room, turn off the lights, stand on the table, and yell and laugh. It was not uncommon for us to have to call in one of his disheartened parents to try to calm him down. One afternoon my session with David was even more frustrating than usual. I finally decided to take him to an area away from the other children so that he could no longer take their things and disrupt their sessions. He followed somewhat reluctantly as I led him to the top of a stairwell. “Let’s say our numbers,” I said when I had gotten myself situated. “No!” He threw his arms upward. “You go out. Now!” He pointed down the stairs. I repeated After a time he poked me with a puzzle piece to the same request several times, but he became even get my attention. “More, please.” I offered him an- more agitated. other cracker. “How about looking at your picture book?” “No,” he said, shaking his head and pointing to I suggested. my mouth. “More. Sing more!” “I said no!” I began singing “I Am a Child of God.” He was “Tell you what. If you do your work, I’ll give you delighted. I sang another Primary song. “More, one of these.” I held up a bag of his favorite crackers. please,” he said. I repeated “I Am a Child of God,” “NO!” he yelled. and that seemed to gratify him the most. When I fin- I sighed, not knowing what to try next. After a few ished, he happily finished his puzzle and we com- moments I found myself singing to him softly, “I Am a pleted our session. Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301). A calm came over this I have long known the soothing effects of sacred young Latter-day Saint boy, and he listened intently. I music in my own life, but I never would have thought finished the first verse and waited for his reaction. it could be so effective in this situation. The experi- He reached over and hit me lightly on the arm. ence reaffirmed to me that Heavenly Father loves His “More!” special children and that sacred music can bring peace I sang some more. Smiling, he reached over and hit of mind to all of us.—Karen T. Sheets, Nampa 16th me on the arm again. “Thank you!” he said. He settled Ward, Nampa Idaho Stake down and did his work, carried my books down the Gospel topics: hymns, adversity, testimony, Holy Ghost, disabilities stairwell at the end of the session, and behaved him- self for the rest of the afternoon—even as he worked with other aides and students. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT The next morning David began causing problems Most Ensign articles can be used for family home again, as usual. At the end of his first session, the aide evening discussions. The following questions are for that working with him dropped into a chair, exhausted. Yet purpose or for personal reflection: when it came time for David to work with me, he sat 1. How can hymns help us during times of trial? down and went to work. He did so well that I gave him 2. In what ways is appropriate music an important a cracker. He ate it and continued with his assignment. part of our worship? 3. How can hymns affect the atmosphere in our homes? * Name has been changed.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 23 TAKING THE SCRIPT to theWORLD

Month by month, year by year, the list of milestones grows in making the four standard scriptural works of the Church available to all of Heavenly Father’s children.

any members felt a sense of awe at a signifi- cant achievement last year when the Church passed the 100 million mark in printing copiesM of the Book of Mormon (see Ensign, May 2000, English ASL 112). But they may not have realized that this was only Hmong one of a growing list of milestones in efforts to bring Navajo the scriptures to all of Heavenly Father’s children. Thanks to those continuing efforts, teachings of the Book of Mormon have now been translated Spanish Tzotzil Haitian into 100 languages, making its words accessible Hawaiian Maya to several billion people on earth. Despite rapid Church growth in many countries and many differ- Cakchiquel ent ethnic groups, the complete four standard works Kekchí Papiamento Mam Kuna are available in languages spoken by more than 95 Quiché percent of Church membership. And as you read this Spanish article, more than 50 projects related to the scriptures are being moved forward by the Church to make all of Quichua-Ecuador these scriptures with their full range of resources and Portuguese learning aids available to even more people. Aymara Long before His mortal birth, the Lord Jesus Quechua-Peru Tahitian Quechua-Bolivia Christ assured Nephi that “my words shall hiss Rarotongan forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard Guaraní unto my people” (2 Ne. 29:2), and that He would Translation has made the full Book of “bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, Mormon or selections from it available in even upon all the nations of the earth” (v. 7). The Lord languages spoken by 87 percent of the people on earth, touching the planet’s six inhabited has given His Apostles authority to take the gospel to continents. In 2000 the book was made “the four corners of the earth” and the charge “to send available in 20 new language editions. my word to every creature” (D&C 124:128). The Lord also said “that every man shall hear the fulness of the

24 TURES

Finnish

Swedish Icelandic Norwegian

Estonian Russian Danish Latvian Welsh Polish Dutch Lithuanian English German Czech Romanian Armenian-East Hungarian Ukrainian Armenian-West French Croatian Bulgarian Italian Albanian Catalan Spanish Turkish Korean Portuguese Greek Japanese Persian

Arabic Urdu Chinese Ilokano Hindi Bengali Pangasinan Pampango Telugu Laotian Tagalog Vietnamese Amharic Tamil Thai Bikolano Waray Cambodian Chamorro Igbo Hiligaynon Fante Efik Cebuano Marshallese Kisii Sinhala Palauan Swahili Trukese Pohnpeian Lingala Kiribati

Indonesian Niuean STEVE BUNDERSON Samoan Y Malagasy Bislama Shona

Fijian : PHOTO B Tongan Afrikaans VE LEFT

Zulu WHITE; ABO Xhosa .

Maori ERIC W Y : PHOTO B LEFT

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 25 OPENING UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD

esides being available in gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, 100 languages, the Book of through those who are ordained unto this power” BMormon is accessible in a (D&C 90:11). Thus the Church’s continuing work to variety of formats—it can be read make the scriptures more accessible to members of on paper or on a computer screen, the Church throughout the world can be seen as the heard on CD or cassette tape, felt fulfillment of both prophecy and divine mandate to through Braille, and now, watched the Church. on video by signers of American “We go forward with this work in fulfillment of Sign Language (ASL). the will of the Master,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard After more than 10 years of of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, chairman of translation effort, the final video- the Church’s Scriptures Committee. “All that we do tape of the ASL Book of Mormon is meant to help bring our Father’s children to Jesus was released on 9 January 2001. Christ. The projects we undertake are chosen and The 60 hours of ASL translation is recorded on a series of planned after prayerful consideration in the highest 15 videotapes. priesthood councils of the Church. Under this priest- Those not familiar with ASL may wonder why a video hood direction, much has been accomplished, but translation of the Book of Mormon is necessary if deaf peo- there is more yet to do, and the work will go on.” ple are able to read. But for the estimated 500,000 native signers of ASL in the United States and Canada, English is a second language. English and ASL are different languages MILESTONES structurally, and the level of understanding of English as a In terms of making Church scriptures more widely second language varies from person to person. available, here are some of the significant milestones Because ASL is not a written language, Book of Mormon that were recorded in the two most recent translator Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz de- calendar years (1999–2000). veloped a writing system that represents Book of Mormon growth. Some 87 the signs and facial expressions used in percent of the world’s people can ASL. She then read the transcription of now read the book or selections from her translation from a teleprompter as it in their own language. The full book she signed for the video taping. The tran- is available in 61 languages, doctrinal script and video were reviewed by selections from it in 38, and one edi- translation committee members who, tion is out of print. In 2000, the Book like Sister Wilding-Diaz, are also deaf of Mormon was made available in 18 and fluent in ASL and English. new language editions, the highest for The ASL Book of Mormon is making any year since it was first published. a difference in the lives of deaf people. Among Church members, more than Tom Wilson of Salt Lake City, whose 99 percent can now read the book or wife, Tedi Ann, is deaf, says that selections or listen to it on audiotapes before the videos were released, he in their own language. and Tedi Ann could not study the Book New editions of scriptures. Thirty-one of Mormon as a couple. “We tried for new editions of the standard works years to read it together, and I’d try to (Book of Mormon, triple combination, explain it to her, but it never fully Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great registered,” he says. Now, the Wilsons Price, or Bible) were made available in talk of how wonderful it is to sit next to print, audio, or video during these each other as she watches the Book of two years. Their languages range from Mormon on video and he reads the tongues of Eastern Europe to central corresponding chapters in his book to Africa, from Asia to the West Indies. himself. The four standard works are available Says Tedi Ann, “I’ll be watching the in 38 languages. New or revised trans- video and be astonished as I finally com- lations and editions are constantly prehend the meaning of a scripture I’ve under way, with the Guide to the been trying to understand all my life in Scriptures as part of their volumes English. It’s opened up a whole new (this combines Topical Guide refer- world to me.” អ ences with material from the Bible Dictionary), footnotes, and so forth.

26 Recordings. Videos of the Book of Mormon have Book of Mormon Stories. A new edition of this pic- been completed in American Sign Language. New ture book designed for children has been released. audio recordings of the Book of Mormon have been With its illustrations of stories from the Book of made available in a number of languages, including Mormon, it is helpful for parents and teachers too. English, Spanish, Navajo, and several Mesoamerican It is available on audio cassettes and now also on Indian languages. CD-ROM. Study aids. New Church-produced maps, color pic- Teaching videos. A series of videos supporting tures, and their descriptions have been added to the the Church’s scripture-based curriculum has been scriptures. completed. The videos are for use in the home, in Production. Printing of the scriptures at the Church youth and adult Sunday School classes, and Church’s Salt Lake Printing Center has been made in seminary and institute instruction. Each video possible through skillful development and innovation carries segments of varying length. These include in typesetting by Church employees and through in- dramatizations of scripture stories and events from stallation of new, advanced printing and binding Church history; excerpts from talks by Church lead- equipment. ers; and, on the Book of Mormon video, testimonies Internet access. The Church placed the scriptures in from youth in several different countries. Because so English with their full range of study aids, including some 250,000 internal links, on the Internet. Economy editions. New economy editions of the scriptures—inexpensive softcover copies of the Bible and triple combination—have been made available to fit more comfortably into personal and family budgets. “Media” gift Bible. This new Church edition of the Bible is given away as a gift to those who respond to Church ads in the media offering a free copy.

The opportunity to read the Book of Mormon in their own lan- guage is a great blessing in the lives of members like Suzana Hasanaj of Albania.

Audio and video record- ings, available in a num- ber of languages, are valuable aids to learning and teaching from the scriptures.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 27 much of the organized study in the Church is based they were moved to turn to verses they had read be- on the scriptures, the support offered by materials fore and saw the words through newly opened spiri- such as this series of videos can be invaluable in tual eyes. teaching. Primary courses 8 through 11, youth and • Zoltán Horváth of the Dunaújváros Branch, adult Sunday School classes, and seminary and insti- Budapest Hungary District, recalls a “thirst for tute classes all center on the four standard works. knowledge” when he first read the Book of Mormon. Materials supporting these courses, along with “The introduction mentions Moroni 10:3–5. I looked scriptures and other materials supporting teaching those verses up. The quotation penetrated my heart in the home, are available from Church distribution as if these sentences were written to me personally. centers or through the Church’s official Web site, I prayed and knew through the Holy Spirit that the www.lds.org. These materials are designed to help Book of Mormon was true. It is the word, will, and members gain or strengthen testimonies through in- truth of God.” Zoltán and his wife were baptized by dividual experiences that lead them to seek, recog- their 17-year-old son, a priest. Since then, the family nize, and accept the Holy Ghost’s witness of truth. has been sealed in the temple, and their son has served a mission preaching the gospel to his people. “The reg- CHANGING LIVES ular reading of the Book of Mormon has helped us to draw close to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.” The witness of the truth changes lives. Many mem- • In Taiwan, Hsu Hwei Chi of the Taipei Second bers testify of how their hearts were touched as the Ward, Taipei Central Stake, recalls that “before join- scriptures came into their hands for the first time or as ing the Church, I thought life was like drifting in the

Study aids such as pictures and maps of scriptural sites, along with scripture volumes to fit any budget, are designed to spread knowledge of the Savior, His life, and His gospel as widely as possible. J. SCOTT KNUDSEN Y PHOTO B

28 TO KNOW FOR OURSELVES “For us, the sea, so I equipped myself with Even so, daily life and old habits some buoys to prevent myself scriptures make it easy to forget new resolve, from drowning. They were things are not the so there is constant need of guid- I supposed would be the most im- ultimate source ance by the Holy Spirit. “I receive portant for living in this world— this spiritual nourishment through house, power, position, wealth, of knowledge, more purposeful prayer and read- cars, husband, and child.” Then but what precedes the ultimate ing of the scriptures. My opening of suddenly some of those temporal source. The ultimate knowledge the Book of Mormon one more time buoys failed her. As fragile as bub- has now become a joyful and re- bles, “they burst into nothing al- comes by revelation. . . . warding succession of many more most within a week. In that crisis, “. . . We encourage everyone times, my life blessed by its precious our loving Heavenly Father to make careful study of the truths as I seek to be taught and up- threw a lifeline to save me: He lifted by the Spirit.” sent missionaries who shared scriptures and of the prophetic with me the teachings in the teachings concerning them and “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES” Book of Mormon. This latter-day scripture was like dawning light to prayerfully seek personal The need for members to in my dimming life, bringing me revelation to know their strengthen their testimonies of Jesus precious peace and comfort I meaning for themselves.” Christ and to learn better the lessons needed.” Now, as a member, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the offered through the standard works Sister Hsu knows that if she holds Twelve Apostles, “Scripture Reading and motivated Church efforts in the onto the iron rod found in the Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 7. 1970s and early 1980s to produce scriptures, “I shall never drift on new editions of the scriptures. With the sea of life again. I thank God their notes and cross-references, for giving us living prophets and scriptures in this study aids, and reference material (including excerpts dispensation.” from the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible), these • “A s a longtime member of the Church, I had editions tie together the testimonies of the Bible, Book not given much thought to the ‘change of heart’ spo- of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of ken of in Alma 5:26,” says Dorothy B. Potter of the Great Price. The significance of the new editions of the Holladay 10th Ward, Salt Lake Holladay Stake. “I scriptures in the progress of the Lord’s work on earth thought it applied more to the marvelous changes was underscored. “With the passing of years, these people sometimes experience when they accept the scriptures will produce successive generations of faith- gospel and are baptized. I considered myself already ful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are converted.” But, she recalls, “I had begun to notice disposed to obey His will,” said President Boyd K. what seemed to be a lack of depth in my testimony, Packer, serving as a member of the Quorum of the and the joy I wanted to feel in reading the scriptures was lacking.” Then during general conference, “I lis- tened to the prophet, President Ezra Taft Benson, give his strong, appealing testimony of the importance of the Book of Mormon and our responsibility to read it.1 In this frame of mind, with a determination to ponder and pray, I opened the Book of Mormon one more time and began to read.” It was the beginning of new discovery of the book. As she read, she was deeply touched by the Savior’s teachings to His people. “I felt as if I were with the Nephites and receiving the same loving ministrations.” Yet, soon forgetting this powerful spiritual experience, she was driven to her knees in prayer, tearfully sorrowing over an offense she had caused. “From the depths of my soul, I cried out, ‘My heart is changed!’” She recalls feeling no more desire for contention or selfishness in her heart; in their place came a deep desire “to learn and practice The availability of scriptural materials in many languages helps the ways of the Lord.” families make gospel study an integral part of life.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 29 Y A. LARSEN KELL Y PHOTOGRAPHY B NEW PRINTING PRESS HELPS KEEP SCRIPTURES ACCESSIBLE he new press at the Church Printing Center is designed color to black-and-white printing functions. Now most of this to handle huge “webs”—54-inch-wide, 3,000-pound shifting has been eliminated since the majority of black-and- T rolls of thin white paper that wind in and out of the ma- white items are done on the new press. Because both presses chinery. Roll a web all the way to its end and you could nearly can now continually run simultaneously, a greater volume of run a marathon along its 24.5-mile length. While each web materials is produced in-house. spins through the 140-foot length of the Timson Web Press, the “We can also respond more quickly to a need,” Brother thread of paper appears to take on streaks of gray as black Briggs says. “Church leaders have asked that we never be type is captured on its whirring movement. Finally, the paper is out of the scriptures, and today we can fulfill that mandate cut, folded, and bundled by the press. Bundles are forklifted to more efficiently.” អ the nearby bindery area, where the folds of paper are bound in dark blue covers embossed with gold lettering. These invaluable copies of the Book of Mormon can be purchased for only $2.50 U.S.—just cents more than the first copies sold for in 1830. Coincidentally, each web produces about 5,000 copies, the same number of copies produced in the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Today, 5 to 5.5 million copies are produced yearly, depending on demand. The recent purchase of the state-of-the-art press and a separate book binder has helped keep the cost of scriptures down and their quality and volume up, says Kay Briggs, direc- tor of Church printing. The new press is also used to print in various sizes the King James Bible, the triple combination, and other noncolor curriculum items. Until the new press was acquired, the printing center had just one web press to print both color items, such as Church magazines, and black-and-white items, such as scriptures. Before the new press was acquired, it took days to shift from

30 Twelve Apostles. “Into their hands now are placed of the Doctrine and Covenants unless you read the the sticks of Joseph and of Judah. They will develop a Doctrine and Covenants. Faith comes of drinking at gospel scholarship beyond that which their forebears the fountain of eternal truth” (Ensign, Jan. 1998, 72). could achieve. They will have the testimony that Jesus The Church’s continuing progress in publishing is the Christ and be competent to proclaim Him and to the scriptures worldwide is bringing these life-giving defend Him” (“Scriptures,” Ensign, Nov. 1982, 53). waters to more and more people. អ From the beginning of the Church, members have Gospel topics: scripture study, inspiration, Church history been called upon to find an anchor for their faith in More on this topic: See Dallin H. Oaks, “Scripture Reading the word of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 6–9; Jeffrey S. McClellan, “Search the scriptures—search the revelations which “Christmas Gift for Hungary,” Ensign, Dec. 1996, 7; “Was we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the Our Family Scripture Study a Failure?” Ensign, Aug. 1993, name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth 27; “Developing a Personal Plan for Studying the Gospel,” in unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His Teaching, No Greater Call (1999), 16. glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the Visit www.lds.org or see Church magazines on CD. power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for your- NOTE selves and not for another” (Teachings of the Prophet 1. “There is a power in [the Book of Mormon] which will begin Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 11). to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You It is a call that the prophets after him have re- will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power peated. Among the many exhortations from President to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called Gordon B. Hinckley about making the word of God ‘the words of life’ (see D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and part of our lives is this: “Live the gospel. Love the thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater gospel. Read the scriptures. You will not get a testi- abundance” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,”

mony of the Book of Mormon unless you read the Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7). Y A. LARSEN KELL

Book of Mormon. You will not get a testimony Y PHOTO B

One of the blessings of technological develop- ment is instant access to Latter-day Saint scriptures and other gospel materials online from anywhere in the world. 32 ONE-ON-ONEONE-ON-ONE mong the principal social issues of our time together were numerous. I learned through these ex- “ is the flight of fathers from their children’s periences to see each of my children as individuals lives,” declared Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of with unique strengths and weaknesses. Also, we dis- Athe Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1999 gen- cussed problems and concerns that might not have eral conference (“The Hands of the Fathers,” Ensign, surfaced in other settings. But most of all, I learned May 1999, 15). to like each child as a friend, a quality of the father- In my work as a family life educator, I have seen child relationship that can be difficult to foster in problems and challenges in people’s lives that con- the normal routine of life in a large family. Spending firm Elder Holland’s statement. Children desire their time alone with a child presents a great opportunity fathers’ attention and interest, and my experience for a father to develop or cement a close, personal and research have made it clear to me that they need friendship. individual time and interaction with their fathers— So how can fathers go about setting up their or, where that is not possible, with a caring adult own special times—they don’t necessarily have to male. For instance, some of my work has been with be on Saturday—with their children? Here are a few father-absent children and finding adult volunteers suggestions: to spend several hours of one-on-one time each week. 1. Spend time with your child. I once read a study I found that children who were seen regularly by an of 9- to 13-year-old children and their parents which adult friend often made dramatic improvements in showed that while 80 percent of the children wanted their school performance, family relationships, and to spend more time with their parents, less than half behavior in the community. of the parents enjoyed doing entertainment-type I have also come to know that a father’s psycho- things with their children. This was especially true logical or emotional absence can be just as hurtful to of the fathers. a child as his physical absence. Being aware of these I remember an occasion when an acquaintance things, and seeing the size and complexity of my own of mine was complaining about his busy schedule. family growing, I felt I needed to schedule regular Between business activities and Church callings he time with each of my children. had little time for his family. AL STOCK Therefore, for several years When I suggested some ways he while my children were growing could spend more time with his up I made it a practice to take a wife and children, he made a re- : PHOTO © DIGIT different child each Saturday for vealing comment. In effect he a couple of hours and do some- said he did not know what to thing with him or her. Among say to his kids when he was other things, we went swim- with them and felt uncomfort- ming, shopped at the hardware able being with them for any

: PHOTO © EYEWIRE ; RIGHT store, or visited the library. extended period. He admitted

LEFT The rewards of these times this was one reason he allowed

Fathers can strengthen relationships with their children by consistently spending time with each child. WITH DAD

B Y T HOMAS B. HOLMAN

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 33 “YOU ARE NOT AROUND MUCH ANYWAY” y children taught me a great do. Planning our time together in this way got us “ lesson one day. We had excited about the upcoming activities, which also Mmoved from California to New helped make our interviews positive, relationship- York where I had accepted an employ- strengthening experiences. ment opportunity and we were in the 3. Do what both of you want to do. When choosing an process of finding a new home. We activity, it is best to choose something both you and started close to the city, but each day that passed we would move further out your child will enjoy. The types of activities can vary to find a home more suited to our needs. In Connecticut we considerably. They seldom need to cost much. One of found just the one. It was a beautiful home nestled in New my children’s favorite Saturday activities was to go to England’s radiant forests. We were all pleased with the my office, sit at my desk, write on scratch paper, and selection. The final test before making an offer for purchase just look at everything. Other things that cost noth- was to ride the train into New York to check out the com- ing or very little are biking, hiking, swimming, and muting time. I made the trip and was very discouraged. going to a museum. The idea is to have fun to- The trip required an hour and a half each way. I returned to the motel where my family was waiting gether, to enjoy each other’s company, and for me and gave them the choice of having a to learn about each other. father or this new home. Much to my surprise, Sometimes your child may want to do they said, ‘We will take the home. You are not something you are not interested in, and around much anyway.’ at such times it is a good idea to go along “The shock of that statement was overwhelm- with the choice (within reason, of course). ing to me. If that statement was true, I needed to The important consideration here is repent fast. My children deserved a father. Is it not our obligation as fathers to spend as much that you happily do what your chil- time as possible with our children, to teach dren select because you care about them honesty, industry, and morality?” them. If you do it grudgingly and consider it wasted time, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Father—Your Role, Your Responsibility,” you will defeat the whole Ensign, Nov. 1977, 63. purpose of the activity. Sometimes it may be appro- priate to agree to do some- business and Church affairs to fill thing your child wants but almost every evening. ask that next time you do How can this obstacle be over- something you want. This come? If you want to enjoy doing may not only help you things with your children, be- enjoy yourself more gin with the attitude that you but also teach your will enjoy yourself. Then as child about taking you make the effort to turns. regularly spend time 4. Follow with each child, be- through. Several fore long you will years ago I likely find that the was called to experience is en- work with a joyable and that Mutual-age you have plenty to group of talk about. boys. I found 2. Plan. In our that one of family I tried to have my biggest a father’s interview with each child obstacles to every fast Sunday afternoon. establishing rap- Among the issues we discussed port with those boys was what to do on our Saturdays was their perception together that month. We would that adults do not usually discuss two or three pos- follow through with sible activities. The younger plans. Unfortunately children enjoyed making a they had had a couple

drawing of what we planned to of leaders in a row who PHOTO © PHOTODISC

34 had promised activities and then not followed through. It took me several months of having ac- tivities to convince them I would not cancel at the last minute. Children are resilient, but they can be let down or disappointed only so many times before they will no longer trust an unreliable adult. Many things—often very legitimate things—come up that could interfere with the time you have arranged to spend with your child. The best general rule is not to allow anything to interfere. As with a lot of general guidelines, how- ever, exceptions will likely arise. When they do, we need to ask ourselves which activity is more impor- tant, both right now and in the long run. And, of course, we need to seek the guidance of the Spirit in the decision and be willing to be flexible about our schedules where possible. 5. Give your children your full attention. I remember that when my daughter was a teenager she seemed to really enjoy getting me alone and just talking. Occa- sionally I caught myself listening to the song on the car radio more than to her, and I had to remind my- self why I was with her. If she wanted to talk to me, I needed to turn down the radio and listen—really listen. One time a teenager I taught in church came to me with a personal problem. He

had good parents, and I asked him why he uring time alone STEVE BUNDERSON did not go to them. His answer was that Dwith his child, Y he had tried, but before he could explain a father can show PHOTO B how he felt they had given him three an- he cares not only by swers to his problem. He needed under- listening but also by standing more than he needed advice. telling the child, “I love about me. “If you didn’t have a dad, 6. Show you care. During time alone what would you miss?” I asked. I ex- with your child, you can show you care you.” The sharing of pected them to mention things like not only by listening but also by telling genuine feelings can money, clothes, or perhaps the pres- the child, “I love you.” Men in our society strengthen relationships. ents I brought them after a business often have trouble doing this. Some fa- trip. Instead, without hesitation eight- thers are afraid they will get emotional year-old Nicholle said, “We’d miss our (and possibly tearful) when expressing love to their Saturdays!” The others agreed. children and will thereby lose their children’s respect. What a pleasant shock! Of all the things they This fear is unfounded. During His visit to ancient might have mentioned, the one they thought of first America, Jesus Himself wept after blessing the little was the few hours each Saturday I spent alone with children (see 3 Ne. 17:21–22). The sharing of genuine each of them. If ever I had needed a testimony of the feelings can strengthen relationships. fact that a child needs individual time with his or her Showing you care is also demonstrated nonver- dad, I had it now. bally by such things as maintaining eye contact, smil- In his April 1999 conference address, Elder ing, and showing affection, such as giving a hug or a Holland reflected, “As a father, I wonder if I and pat on the shoulder. These nonverbal cues confirm to all other fathers could do more to build a sweeter, the child the truth of the verbal message “I love you.” stronger relationship with our sons and daughters” The efforts we make to give our children individ- (Ensign, May 1999, 15). Spending individual time with ual attention can bring immediate as well as long- our sons and daughters is one thing we can do to help term blessings. I remember one occasion several years build a relationship that will last into the eternities. អ ago when my children were telling me what they Thomas B. Holman is a member of the Aspen Second Ward, Orem would miss if they did not have a mother. I decided Utah Aspen Stake. to take the opportunity to see what they might miss Gospel topics: fatherhood, children

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 35 CHOOSING ETERNITY In the future my parents envisioned for me, the gospel was incidental. How could I achieve my eternal goals without hurting my parents? B Y S HERYLE W ICKMAN

any of us have felt tangled in our circum- formed without the Lord’s sealing power will become stances at times, unsure of our values, null and void at death. The lesson continued with her priorities, and alternatives. And sometimes encouragement that we set goals for temple marriage; ourM attempts to solve our problems seem only to tangle that we prepare for the roles of wife, mother, and home- matters worse. maker; and that we keep the standards of the Church. As a teenager I found myself in such a situation. I I was convinced that what the teacher said was true, was unsure how to achieve my goal of a temple mar- but I felt trapped by my circumstances. My parents, riage and still main- especially my father, tain the love and encouraged me to de- respect of my par- velop my intellectual ents, one of whom abilities in an Ivy was less active and League school; to mag- the other not a nify my talents prima- member of the rily in the professional Church. They did world rather than in not understand the the home, church, and potential of such a community; and to not marriage and had worry so much about other goals for me. Church standards. My frustration I respected my par- with this dilemma ents and did not want reached its peak to disappoint them. We MODELS one night when I had a good relation- Y attended a Young ship, and I knew that Women presenta- what they wanted most

tion on temple mar- was for me to be PHOTO POSED B riage. The teacher talked about the dif- ferences between civil and temple was becoming con- marriage, explain- vinced that Heavenly ing that temple mar- IFather’s plan for my riage has everlasting happiness included possibilities when temple marriage. husband and wife are faithful to their covenants. She em- phasized that bonds

36 PERSONAL REVELATION “We each have happy—but I was becoming convinced These revelatory experiences were that Heavenly Father’s plan for my the privilege to among the most precious moments happiness was different from theirs. carefully and of my life, for during these times As the presentation on marriage prayerfully my seeking turned to listening, and drew to a close, I was anxious to I felt the assurance of Heavenly get away before anyone noticed my seek the Lord’s Father’s love. agitation. As soon as the chorus of will for us regarding our For example, when I was con- “amens” to the closing prayer sounded, individual challenges and fused about where to attend col- I rushed for the door—only to have my lege, Heavenly Father confirmed progress hindered by the presence of a dilemmas. Personal revelation my decision to go to an Ivy League six-foot, five-inch counselor in the bish- is personal, indeed. It is not school. When a young man I had opric. He kindly asked me what was based on gender or position been dating proposed that we be troubling me and if I wanted to talk married in the temple, Heavenly about it. but on worthiness. It comes in Father helped me to know that this Unable to restrain my confused response to sincere inquiry.” man was right for me and that it feelings any longer, I followed him into Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of was the right time for us to marry. the bishop’s office, where he listened the Twelve Apostles, “Equality through Eventually the tangled threads as I tearfully poured out my problem. Diversity,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 91; empha- of my life came to look like a tapes- I explained that although I believed in sis in original. try. As I made decisions based on the promises of temple marriage, I was the principles of the gospel, rich troubled that my parents did not understand and blessings began to ornament the picture of my life. A would not be able to attend a temple wedding. beautiful design of love and faith was woven into the I explained further that I was unsure how to estab- strong fabric of my testimony. Many colorful threads of lish the values and priorities that would help me live a challenge and opportunity were developed into rich meaningful, fulfilling life. I had spent much time and patterns of talents and blessings. Now I truly “stand all many tears trying to figure out what I should do and amazed” (Hymns, no. 193) when I look at the grand de- how I could keep from hurting my parents, but all my sign of our Heavenly Father’s plan, and I am pleased to efforts seemed to end in frustration and despair. be a participant in it. Upon a few moments of reflection, the bishop’s And things have worked out well with my parents counselor gently explained that he had confronted too. Although they have sometimes had difficulty un- similar dilemmas in his younger years. His parents derstanding my values, they have respected my right were not active members of the Church, and they had to make my own choices. Contrary to my fears, they not been able to attend his temple wedding. And he have supported me in living the gospel and have re- too had considered professional options that might joiced with me in my blessings and accomplishments. have seriously impaired his ability to serve his family The Lord knows and loves each one of us. It is “[His] and the Church. work and [His] glory” to guide us to eternal life and He described how confused he had been and how help us find joy (Moses 1:39; see also 2 Ne. 2:25). If we much he needed wisdom and strength from the Lord will seek Him, listen to His counsel, and obey His will, to know what was right. He testified to me that because He will help us untangle our circumstances and weave he had committed himself to the Lord’s will, he had them into the beautiful tapestry of a blessed life. អ been able to sort through the many alternatives life Sheryle Wickman is a member of the Cromwell Ward, Hartford offered and to decide what path was right for him. He Connecticut Stake. challenged me to commit to obey Heavenly Father’s Gospel topics: temple marriage, inspiration, decisions commandments, thereby becoming worthy of His bless- ings and inspiration so that I would know what to do. As the bishop’s counselor spoke to me, something LET’S TALK ABOUT IT marvelous happened: I felt the beginning of a hope Most Ensign articles can be used for family home evening that if I would do as he suggested, all would work out discussions. The following questions are for that purpose or well. I felt assured that Heavenly Father knew and for personal reflection: loved me and that He would help make my life fulfill- 1. How can we obtain Heavenly Father’s help as we make ing and happy. important decisions? I fasted and prayed as I sought to know what was 2. When making such decisions, how should we involve right for me. Answers came through scripture study, members of our family who are not Latter-day Saints? Church lessons and talks, my patriarchal blessing, and 3. How can we best make ourselves receptive to inspira- conversations with others—including my parents. tion from Heavenly Father?

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 37 38 day came they would pass through scenes little under- stood by them.1 These prophetic words, spoken on the threshold of the tribulations that would occur in Illinois and only a few years after the perse- cutions in Kirtland and Missouri, pointed toward a B Y T HAYA E GGLESTON G ILMORE brighter future for Anson Call and for all faithful believ- ers. Nevertheless they ac- n a summer day in This pioneer’s story knowledged that suffering 1842, Anson Call and represents the experiences still lay ahead. about 50 brethren ac- of thousands of early Anson Call’s journal bears Ocompanied the Prophet Joseph testimony to the truthfulness Smith from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Latter-day Saints who of the Prophet’s words that Montrose, Iowa, across the helped the Church take root day. Indeed he helped settle Mississippi River. At one point, several areas in what is now the Prophet spoke of Anson’s in the American West. central and southern Utah and future in the Church, indicat- Nevada. But as the Prophet ing that Anson would go to the West and assist in said, Anson and other Latter-day Saints also passed building cities from one end of the area to the other. through scenes little understood by them. For Anson, The Prophet said that Anson and others would per- who had already passed through a number of trials form a great work in the West, adding that before that as a Church member, these scenes included the Martyrdom of the Prophet and the deaths of two chil- dren on the trek west to the Salt Lake Valley.

FROM VERMONT TO OHIO TO KIRTLAND Anson was born on 13 May 1810 in Fletcher, Franklin County, Vermont, to Cyril and Sally Tiffany Call. Cyril Call had been born in Windsor County about 15 miles from the Prophet Joseph Smith’s birthplace. Cyril took his family to Madison, Ohio, where they joined with the Methodists. By the time Anson was in his early 20s he had become dissatisfied with all MICHAEL MALM

denominations, and he considered the preach- Y

ing of Latter-day Saint missionaries an annoy- TED B ance. His father, however, believed the USTRA

missionaries and was baptized. ILL

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 39 The missionaries returned often to Madison to one occasion not long after this, the Prophet Joseph preach the gospel, and they frequently stopped at visited Anson and some other brethren in Three Anson’s house to talk to him. Among those who Forks, telling them that there would be difficulties in stopped were missionaries Brigham Young, John P. the days ahead and that they should leave and go to Greene, and Almon Babbitt. Anson wrote of their visits Far West or Adam-ondi-Ahman. in his record: “In discussing with them upon the prin- The next day the brethren of Three Forks coun- ciples of the gospel . . . I came to the conclusion . . . I seled together and decided that Anson should make did not understand the Bible and the Book of a trip through Ray, Daviess, and Caldwell Counties Mormon. I resolved to prepare myself . . . by investi- to see if any trouble was brewing. When he returned gating the two books.”2 and reported no apparent sign of trouble, they de- So Anson engaged in a thorough study of the Book cided they had sufficient time before they left not of Mormon, comparing it with the Bible to better prove only to secure the crops but also to go on a bee hunt. to the missionaries that the Church was wrong. After Arriving home after seven days with wagonloads of six months of diligent praying and honey, they found all quiet and de- searching, he finished the two cided to go out again to gather books. He found, however, that the more honey. Upon their return, more he had studied, the more he they decided to take their families became convinced that the mission- to Adam-ondi-Ahman, about 30 aries were right. Instead of disprov- miles away. However, the weather ing the Book of Mormon, Anson turned stormy, and when they re- became a firm believer in it. He turned home, they found that wrote: “I was then taught by the mobbers had been put into posi- Spirit to obey the principles of the tion to prevent the Latter-day gospel.”3 Saints from going to and from Far During his conversion, Anson West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. struggled intensely over what it Intent on getting to Adam- would be like to be classified as a ondi-Ahman, Anson Call’s family “Mormon.” He thought at times and some others slipped past the that he would become “insane” nson struggled to gain a testimony mobbers under cover of night. with the inner wrestling of his soul. and at last covenanted that if the They arrived safely in Adam-ondi- “My feelings were not known by ALord would give him confidence he Ahman, and eventually Anson and any but my wife,” he wrote. “I was would be baptized. his family made their way to Far proud and haughty, and to obey West, despite the terribly cold the gospel was worse than death. weather. Anson’s children nearly . . . To be called a Mormon, I thought, was more than I died because of the extreme cold. His three-year-old could endure. . . . I at last covenanted before the Lord son, Moroni, lost part of his fingernails when his fin- that if He would give me confidence to face the world gers froze. in Mormonism I would be baptized.”4 Lacking sufficient means to remove his family from After Anson covenanted with the Lord, his mind the state, Anson decided to return to Three Forks to was cleared, and the fears of what his friends would reclaim some property, though Joseph Smith Sr. and say if he joined the Church left him. The next day, Brigham Young advised him against it. When Anson he went to a Methodist meeting and “declared unto arrived in Three Forks, he discovered that a man by them the truth of Mormonism.”5 He soon traveled to the name of George Washington O’Neil had taken Kirtland, Ohio, where he was baptized on 21 May 1836, possession of his farm and property. at the age of 26, by William Smith, the Prophet Joseph’s Anson went to Mrs. Day, a neighbor, who told brother. He was confirmed in the Kirtland Temple by him that O’Neil and a man named Culp said they David Whitmer. Upon his return to Madison, Anson would shoot Anson if they ever saw him again. was desirous to teach the gospel to his family and his While Anson was conversing with Mrs. Day, O’Neil Methodist friends. Before long, a branch of 20 members and Culp showed up and said they supposed Anson was established in Madison. Later in 1836, Anson sold had come to get his property but that there was part of his farm, and the family moved to Kirtland. none for him. Seeing that it was useless to retrieve his property, Anson left the house and walked to- PERSECUTION IN MISSOURI ward his horse. O’Neil and Culp followed him, and O’Neil picked up the end of a hoop pole from In 1838 Anson and his family moved to Three pieces of a barrel lying nearby and struck Anson on Forks of the Grand River near Far West, Missouri. On the head.

40 Anson wrote of the event: “He [O’Neil] repeated the the family moved to Nauvoo. In September of that blows, and my having on my head a thick woolen cloth year Anson was called on a mission to Ohio. He and cap saved my skull. Mrs. Day threw the door open. . . . I his companion, Benjamin F. Cummings, traveled on started for the door. He then hit me in the face and re- foot, preaching through Illinois and Indiana and bap- peated the blows two or three times before I reached it. tizing 40 persons. He returned to Nauvoo in the . . . I clenched the door post, when he gave me a blow spring of 1843 and found his family very poor but over the eye, the scar of which I carry to this day.”6 healthy. He planted a small crop of corn and built a Once Anson got inside the house, Mrs. Day shut brick home on Young Street about a quarter mile east the door and, seeing the men run past the window, of the Nauvoo Temple. He spent a portion of his time said they had gone to get their guns. Anson opened quarrying stone for the temple. Life became quite the door, quickly mounted his horse, and escaped. pleasant. Nauvoo was flourishing, and work on the Describing what happened upon his return to Far temple progressed rapidly. West, he wrote: “I . . . made up my mind that I would Anson spent the winter in Nauvoo and preached in not let anybody know what had happened to me from the surrounding area. When mob dissension grew, the the fact that Father Smith and Brigham had told me Prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum, his brother, were not to go. . . . In the morning I sprung out of bed, and I martyred on 27 June 1844 in nearby Carthage, Illinois. instantly found myself lying on the floor. . . . I then re- The last time Anson saw the Prophet alive was when turned to bed and found myself under the necessity of the latter rode up to tell the Nauvoo Legion good-bye. telling [my wife] what had happened but sought to Anson wrote of the event: “He [Joseph] turned himself keep it from my family. Father Smith soon found it out upon the saddle, waved his hand, and said, ‘. . . Be and came to see me, telling me it would do me good faithful and true, and you shall have your reward. but he was glad they didn’t kill me.”7 Farewell!’ He then started for Carthage. I little thought This beating was only one of several that Anson suf- it was the last time I should see him alive.”8 fered at the hands of mobbers in Missouri. The bodies of Joseph and Hyrum were brought back from Carthage and placed at the Mansion House GATHERING TO ILLINOIS in Nauvoo. Much distraught, Anson took his family to view the bodies. He recorded: “Sleep and the de- Anson and his family eventually managed to leave sire of food had left my body. I shall not attempt to Missouri in February 1839 and made their way to describe my feelings. What was to be done I knew Illinois to gather with the Saints. After living for a time not. I cried mightily unto the Lord near Warsaw and then in Ramus, in the spring of 1842 that I might know what to do.”9

fter serving a mission to Ohio, Anson returned to Ahis family in Nauvoo in the spring of 1843. He planted a small crop of corn and built a brick home about a quarter mile east of the temple.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 41 LIKE THE PIONEERS, WE HAVE DEMANDING After the Martyrdom, the mob CHALLENGES Winter Quarters as part of the burned many homes of the Saints, group of over 2,000 Saints who including those of Anson’s father, “Although made the journey west with the his brother Harvey, and his brother- our journeys newly sustained First Presidency in-law Chester Loveland. All stayed (Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, temporarily with Anson’s family in today are less and Willard Richards). In September Nauvoo. demanding 1848, the family arrived in the Salt physically Lake Valley. After staying for three TREKKING TO THE SALT LAKE VALLEY days “with many of the brethren than the trek of our pioneers in the big camp near the adobe In late 1845 the Saints and those 150 years ago, they are no less yard,”11 Anson moved his family opposing them worked out a com- challenging. Certainly it was 10 miles north of the city and promise in which the Saints agreed rigged up a home in the shape to leave Illinois in the coming hard to walk across a continent of an Indian wickiup. spring. With only about six months to establish a new home in a His struggles to coax crops out to prepare, they organized them- dry western desert. But who of the desert land were the same as selves into wagon companies. others’. He wrote of the onslaught Anson was appointed superintend- can say if that was any more of crickets in 1849: “They [the crick- ent of the Shumway Company, a difficult than is the task of ets] damaged my corn continually group formed to construct wagons living faithful, righteous lives and probably would have used up for the upcoming migration. every vestige of grain that there Amidst this preparation to leave, in today’s confusingly sinful was growing in the valley had not the Saints increased their efforts to world. . . . But our reward will the gulls assisted us. They came finish the Nauvoo Temple. From when nearly every ray of hope was December 1845 to February 1846, be the same as that which gone. They would eat until they nearly 6,000 Latter-day Saints re- awaits worthy pioneers of all filled their craw and throw them ceived their temple ordinances ages who live faithfully the up and fill it again. Thus they la- before leaving Nauvoo. Anson re- bored almost incessantly from day ceived his on 10 December 1845. His teachings of the Lord Jesus to day. Men, women, and children wife, Mary Flint, having just deliv- Christ, make right choices, were [also] industrious. Many suf- ered a baby, was not able to go to and give their all to build the fered much from the want of food the temple with him. However, in till harvest, but by roots and vege- February, though still weak, Mary kingdom of God on earth.” tation that was [known to] the Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of 12 was able to receive her endowment. the Twelve Apostles, “You Have Nothing Indians we were sustained.” Anson wrote: “She was not able to to Fear from the Journey,” Ensign, May stand upon her feet and was carried 1997, 61. “BUILDING CITIES” from one department to another in my arms.”10 In October 1850 Anson was called to go on a mis- Anson sold his farm for $240, although he said it sion to help build a settlement in Parowan Valley, was worth $800. On 15 May 1846, Anson and his fam- about 230 miles south of Salt Lake City. After helping ily left Nauvoo and headed west. After one month on with various labors there, including the building of a the trail, Mary and Anson were heartsick when they fort, he returned north in the spring of 1851 to gather found their youngest son, six-month-old Hyrum, families willing to settle in Parowan. He completed dead in his bed. The cause of death was unknown. this task that same spring. They buried him at Cedar Creek near Wesley Cain’s Anson’s next calling was to help colonize newly des- sawmill and wrote his name on the side of a nearby ignated Millard County, of which he was appointed oak tree. The family continued on their way grief probate judge. In the fall of 1851 he led a company of stricken. A month later, on 7 July 1846, they crossed settlers from Salt Lake City to the new county. There he the Missouri River, and on 9 July their six-year-old found President Brigham Young and several others, son, Moroni, died. Anson and his father peeled off the bark of a hickory tree and made a coffin for the boy. Upon arriving in the area of Winter Quarters, s the Prophet Joseph Smith had prophesied, Anson Call Anson engaged in various activities in the surround- Adid assist in building Latter-day communities in the ing region over the next two years, including farm- West. Among areas he helped settle were Parowan Valley, ing, hauling hay, and coal mining. Fillmore, and Box Elder County in Utah; Call’s Landing, In the late spring of 1848, Anson and his family left Callville, and St. Thomas in Nevada.

42 who had arrived earlier to lay out the city of Fillmore. and Lorenzo Snow. However, Anson was sick most Anson and others set to work building a corral, a school- of the way, so he stopped in Liverpool, went on to house, a fort, and a sawmill. Besides being appointed to London to conduct a conference, and then returned preside, Anson was elected Millard County’s represen- to Utah. tative to the territorial legislature. He was also instru- Throughout his life, Anson continued loyal to the mental in keeping peace with the Indians, who came to Church and played an important role in the settle- him to help them solve their problems with the settlers ment of Utah. He served as a bishop, stake president, because they knew him to be an honest man. judge, and representative in the territorial legislature. When Anson’s Millard County mission was ful- On 31 August 1890 he died at his home in Bountiful, filled in 1854, he returned to his farm north of Salt Utah, at the age of 80. As the Prophet Joseph Smith Lake City in Davis County and planted 50 acres. had prophesied, Anson had assisted in building cities Anson’s ability as a settler was now well established, from one end of the area to the other and, in company and President Brigham Young called upon him again with many other Latter-day Saints, performed as great and again. Among the settlements he helped estab- a work as has ever been done by man.14 អ lish was Call’s Fort (modern-day Harper) in Box Elder Thaya Eggleston Gilmore, a third great-granddaughter of Anson Call, County, Utah, the settlement’s original name coming is a member of the Savannah Third Ward, Savannah Georgia Stake. from the fort Anson built there in 1855. Gospel topics: courage, obedience, pioneering Anson’s activities were not limited to colonizing. Particularly noteworthy was his participation in the res- NOTES 1. See The Journal of Anson 5. Journal, 7. cue of the Martin and Willie handcart pioneers in 1856. Call (1986), 22. In quotations 6. Journal, 17–18. In 1864 Anson was called to go south beyond from this source, spelling, 7. Journal, 18. St. George and help establish a settlement on the capitalization, and punctuation 8. Journal, 28. Colorado River. Both Call’s Landing and its accompa- have been standardized. See 9. Journal, 29. also History of the Church, 10. Journal, 35. nying town of Callville, laid out “on the banks of the 5:85–86. 11. Journal, 39. Colorado in a nook in the mountains in the shape of a 2. Journal, 6. 12. Journal, 40. horseshoe,”13 were named after Anson Call. (Located 3. Journal, 6. 13. Journal, 92. 4. Journal, 6–7. 14. See Journal, 22. about 30 miles east of Las Vegas, the site is now covered by Lake Mead.) Anson and his party laid out another town near the Virgin River and named it St. Thomas. In 1872 Anson left for another mission, this time to the Holy Land with Elders George A. Smith

1855 Mission Call’s Fort (Modern-day Harper) Box Elder County

September 1848 Davis County

1851 Mission Fillmore, Millard County

1850 Mission Parowan Valley 1864 Mission St. Thomas

1864 Mission Call’s Landing and Callville THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 43 FROM HIGH HOPES TO DESPAIR T_ he _ MISSOURI PERIOD 1831– 39

B Y A LEXANDER L. BA UGH

L SOCIETY he Missouri period is Lamanites. In the same revela- A considered one of the tion the Lord further revealed darkest eras in the story that “no man knoweth where Tof the latter-day Church. the city Zion shall be built, but During 1831–39, the Latter-day . . . I say unto you that it shall Saints’ hopes of a Zion com- An overview of a decade be on the borders by the CKSON COUNTY HISTORIC A munity in Jackson County of tensions and trials. Lamanites” (D&C 28:9). At the were dashed by misunder- time, the idea of a “Zion” as es- TESY OF J standings, animosity, and mob action, culminating in tablished by the prophet Enoch had only just begun COUR the confiscation and destruction of property, and ex- to be made known to the Prophet Joseph Smith. pulsion of some 8,000 to 10,000 Latter-day Saints by However, by December 1830, the Prophet learned order of the state’s chief executive. In the pages of that the kind of society described in Moses 6–7 was a many history books, discussion of the Missouri society of true believers who “were of one heart and “Mormon episode” consists of only a few pages and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness” (Moses 7:18). footnotes. But to Latter-day Saints, the scenes that Through these and other revelations, it was clear to INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, C. 1850,

: transpired on Missouri soil—principally in Jackson, the Prophet that a permanent settlement would need Clay, Ray, Carroll, Caldwell, Daviess, and Livingston to be established in the western borders of Missouri. VE INSET

O Counties—continue to be a significant part of the Shortly before Oliver Cowdery and Peter

; AB Church’s spiritual heritage. As we study the Doctrine Whitmer Jr. left for Missouri and their mission to the and Covenants and Church history this year, it is Lamanites, Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson were beneficial to have a perspective on those early years. called to accompany them (see D&C 32). Taking leave

JOSEPH BRICKEY of the Saints in mid-October from Fayette, New York, BY , EARLY BEGINNINGS IN MISSOURI the four elders traveled to northeastern Ohio, where they preached the restored gospel to Sidney Rigdon, In September 1830, less than six months after the a former Baptist and Campbellite minister, and many organization of the Church, the Lord called Oliver of his followers. In a few weeks the missionaries bap-

COLD MISSOURI NIGHT Cowdery and Peter Whitmer Jr. to travel from New tized approximately 130 converts. Among them was York to what was then the western frontier border Frederick G. Williams, who joined the elders in their of the United States to preach the gospel to the trek west. Following an arduous winter journey, the CKGROUND: BA

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Adam-ondi-Ahman N ■ LIVINGSTON Gallatin ■ DAVIESS

Grand Haun’s Mill River ■ ■ Far West Shoal Creek CLINTON CALDWELL

DeWitt Crooked CARROLL ■ RAY River CLAY Richmond ■ ■ Fishing Liberty River

Missouri River ■ ■ Independence Lexington Big Blue River Blue LAFAYETTE Township Kaw Township Little Blue JACKSON River Western Missouri, c. 1838

Left: As an anti-Mormon militia lay siege to Far West, the Prophet Joseph Smith and others agreed to meet with state officials, whereupon they were arrested and threatened with execution. Above: A map of the nine counties in central western Missouri where Church history events took place. Far left: 1850 drawing of Independence Square, the central business area of Independence, Missouri.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 45 Left: Aerial view of western outskirts of N present-day Kansas City, Kansas, where Highway 32 runs along the north side of the Kansas River. The area of trees at top center was the location of the Delaware tribe at the time missionaries preached the restored gospel to them. Below: Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and Frederick G. Williams (left to right), three of those five missionaries.

outskirts west of Independence and there designated and dedicated the spot for a temple that would be part of the New Jerusalem. TT REIER MA Y JACKSON COUNTY, 1831–33 With this newly acquired under- standing of the location for Zion,

AREA PHOTOGRAPHY B Church members were called and appointed under five missionaries arrived in the direction of the Prophet Independence in January Joseph Smith and Bishops 1831. This marked the begin- Edward Partridge and Newel K. ning of a Latter-day Saint Whitney to journey to Missouri presence in Missouri. and take up residence there (see The mission to the D&C 57:15–16; 63:41; 72:15–17, Lamanites living just over the 24–26). In addition, Latter-day western Missouri border in today’s Kansas was short Saints in Ohio were expected to consecrate their property lived. Unaware of some legal restrictions, the elders had and money so that lands in Jackson County could be failed to receive necessary permission from government purchased (see D&C 42:34–35; 57:4–8; 58:51; 63:25–31). authorities to preach. Upon learning of their activities However, everyone was not yet expected to gather to among the Shawnee and Delaware tribes, Robert W. Zion. Even the Prophet Joseph Smith continued to live Cummins, the government agent for the region, or- in the Kirtland area, which remained the headquarters of dered them out of the territory. After counseling to- the Church until 1838. However, by mid-1833 Latter-day gether, they decided that Parley P. Pratt should return Saints in Jackson County numbered 1,000 to 1,200, with to report their activities to the Prophet Joseph Smith, four branches of the Church in Kaw Township and an- while the others would remain in Independence. When other branch in Blue Township, Jackson County. Elder Pratt arrived in Kirtland in March 1831, he found Their growing presence and the cultural, social, politi- that the Prophet Joseph Smith had moved there accord- cal, religious, and economic differences between the local ing to the Lord’s commandment (see D&C 37:3). settlers and the Latter-day Saints fostered tension until By mid-May 1831, New York Saints from the conflict became the natural outgrowth. The tensions Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester branches had assem- reached a climax on 20 July 1833, when a group of local bled in Ohio. A conference was called, and on the day fol- citizens confronted Church leaders in Independence and lowing its close a revelation was received calling Joseph demanded that the Latter-day Saints leave the county, Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and more than a dozen pairs of pledging that no one would be harmed or molested and missionaries to travel to Missouri. The Lord also said He that they would be given sufficient time to dispose of would reveal to them the location of the land of their their property and businesses if they complied. inheritance (see D&C 52:2–5). The Prophet arrived in When their demands were rejected, a mob ransacked Jackson County, Missouri, in mid-July 1831 and received the printing office of the Church-operated newspaper, a revelation on 20 July. “This is the land of promise, and the Evening and Morning Star, which was also the home the place for the city of Zion,” the Lord declared. “Behold, of William W. Phelps, the Church printer. Press and type the place which is now called Independence is the center were thrown into the street, printed materials destroyed, place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon and the building all but demolished. The nearby Church- a lot which is not far from the courthouse” (D&C 57:2–3). owned store was spared a similar fate when store clerk On 2 August, Sidney Rigdon dedicated this area for the A. Sidney Gilbert agreed to cease its operation. Two men, Latter-day Saints. The following day the Prophet led Bishop Edward Partridge and Charles Allen, were pub- a group of Church members to a grassy knoll on the licly tarred and feathered at the county courthouse.

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4

2

5

1 3

5 T

Above: (1) Latter-day Saint visitors’ center; (2) Independence Missouri Stake Center; (3) area for special events that includes stage

and sloped hill; (4) Missouri Independence Mission office; (5) head- TY AND STORE A quarters buildings of the Community of Christ Church, formerly C. A. CHRISTENSEN

known as the Reorganized Church, temple on the left and audito- BY rium on the right; (6) site of 1833 Gilbert and Whitney Store; (7) site of 1833 Church printing office. Right: Drawing of the 1833 ransacking of the Church printing office in Independence. IDING PRINTING PROPER

Below: The Church’s Independence Visitors’ Center, where people A can learn about Church history and beliefs. INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, MOBBERS R

With little recourse, three days later Church leaders 1834. With this agreement in place, much of the agita- signed a memorandum promising that at least half of tion ceased. However, in October 1833, when Jackson the Latter-day Saints would leave the county by January County citizens learned that the Prophet Joseph Smith 1834 and that the other half would be gone by April had advised the Saints to remain on their property and seek to resolve the problem through legal channels, vio- lence erupted again. From 31 October to 5 November, mob vigilantes attacked the Latter-day Saint settle- ments, destroying homes and property. Men were whipped, women and children threatened, and shots exchanged, resulting in the deaths of one Latter-day Saint and two Missourians. To avoid further conflict and bloodshed, Jackson County officials and Church leaders negotiated a peace settlement, and the Latter-day Saints agreed to leave. Within a few weeks, nearly every Church member had left the county. Members wondered why the Lord, who had designated

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 47 this land for Zion and had given promises regarding it, in the more sparsely populated Ray County. By March would allow the Missouri members to be driven from 1836, Missouri Church leaders began searching for a it. For the faithful, there was understanding to be had permanent site for settlement in the even less inhab- in the Lord’s prophetic words given in August 1831 that ited regions north of Ray County. After extensive ex- “after much tribulation come the blessings” (D&C 58:4) plorations, the Church purchased a one-mile square and that, further, they had been sent to Zion, “that you plot situated near Shoal Creek on 8 August 1836. The might be honored in laying the foundation, and in site was subsequently named Far West. bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God As Latter-day Saint numbers began to increase shall stand” (D&C 58:7). The Lord later testified that in this new region, some believed that the Mormon “Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwith- problem might be solved if a county was created standing her children are scattered” (D&C 101:17). exclusively for them. Alexander Doniphan, Clay County’s representative to the state legislature and CLAY COUNTY (1833–36) a friend to the Latter-day Saints, spearheaded a bill to create the new county, Caldwell County. Passage Following their expulsion from Jackson County, a of Doniphan’s bill came on 29 December 1836 and handful of the Latter-day Saints relocated in neigh- actually called for the establishment of two counties. boring Van Buren and Lafayette Counties, but most The first, 18 by 24 miles, was created in behalf of sought refuge to the north across the Missouri River the Latter-day Saints and was named in honor of in Clay County. Here, they found the local citizenry Matthew Caldwell of Kentucky, a friend, Indian scout, more open than Jackson County’s old-time settlers. Meanwhile, Church leaders petitioned Missouri gov- ernor Daniel Dunklin and U.S. president Andrew N Jackson for redress, outlining their grievances against the Jackson County residents (see D&C 101:86–88). They employed the services of Alexander W. Doniphan, a young attorney residing in Liberty, Missouri, to assist them in their petitions. Governor Dunklin responded by promising state as- sistance in restoring them to their lands, and the Lord gave Joseph Smith a revelation calling for the organiza- tion of Zion’s Camp (see D&C 103). In June 1834 this company, more than 200 strong, arrived in Missouri, ready to assist the governor. However, Governor Above: Far West temple site. The Prophet Joseph Smith designated Dunklin changed his mind and refused to intervene. this plot for a temple in fulfillment of the Lord’s command (see Without the authority of the governor to back up their D&C 115:7–12). Below: Alexander Doniphan Monument, Richmond, Missouri. An attorney and state legislator in the 1830s, he was a demands, Church leaders realized that reinstatement in defender of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints. Jackson County would be difficult. After efforts failed to peacefully resolve matters, Zion’s Camp was dis- banded, and the Lord informed the Prophet that the and fellow soldier of Joseph Doniphan, father redemption of Zion’s center place would be in the of Alexander Doniphan. Far West was desig- Lord’s own due time (see D&C 105:19, 31–32). nated as the county seat. The second, Thinking that this redemption would occur in their Daviess County, situated to the north of lifetimes, Latter-day Saints continued to move to Caldwell was nearly 24 miles square and Missouri and settle primarily in Clay County. Yet by named after Colonel Joseph H. Daviess, the summer of 1836, continued immigration there another friend of Doniphan’s father and caused many of Clay County’s local residents to a commander killed at the battle of ask Church members to leave their county also. Tippecanoe in Indiana in 1811. Gallatin was This time, however, Latter-day Saints were per- selected as the county seat, and anyone was mitted to search out new lands and relocate more allowed to settle there, although Church peacefully. members were expected to confine them- selves to Caldwell County. CALDWELL COUNTY (1836–39) While Far West was the largest commu- nity in Caldwell County, additional settle- As early as 1834, Latter-day Saint families ments were established on or near Shoal, began to settle north and east of Clay County Log, Bush, Mill, Panther, Mud, and Plum

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Above: Spring Hill meadow at Adam- N ondi-Ahman. Right: Aerial view of Adam- ondi-Ahman area of Daviess County: (1) Spring Hill; (2) Tower Hill.

2 Creeks, and Crooked River. Many of these settlements were named after their founders or other prominent inhabitants, including the Allred set- 1 tlement (William, William M., and Wiley Allred); the Curtis settlement (Jeremiah Curtis); the Carter settle- ment (Simeon and Orlando Carter); the Durfey settlement (James and Perry Durfey); the Free settlement (Absalom and Joseph Free), the Lyon settlement, also Kirtland. He arrived in Far West on 14 March 1838, called Salem (Aaron C. Lyon); the Myers settlement thus making Far West the headquarters of the (Jacob Myers); the Plumb settlement (Merlin Plumb); Church. Little is known about the precise location of the Stevens settlement (Roswell Stevens); and the the Prophet’s home in Far West. He and his family Haun’s Mill settlement (Jacob Haun). These sites were lived here for less than eight months, during which all later abandoned when Latter-day Saints were ex- seven revelations were received, including the Lord’s pelled from the state in 1839. instructions on the official name of the Church (see The Prophet Joseph Smith visited Far West for the D&C 115:3–4), the construction of the Far West tem- first time for only a few days in late October and early ple (see D&C 115:7–12), the mission of the Apostles November 1837 before returning to Kirtland, Ohio. “over the great waters” to Great Britain (see D&C But in January 1838, the Prophet was forced to flee 118:3–5), and the law of tithing (see D&C 119).

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 49 By late 1838 the Latter-day Saint population in and in Adam-ondi-Ahman, with John Smith, brother of around Far West numbered 4,000 to 5,000 inhabitants, Joseph Smith Sr. and uncle to the Prophet, as making it the largest community in northwestern president, and Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight Missouri. Conservative figures put the Caldwell County as counselors. Vinson Knight was called as acting total population at about 8,000, although it may have bishop. A temple site at Adam-ondi-Ahman was been as high as 10,000. Following the 27 October 1838 also dedicated by Brigham Young. Besides Diahman, issuance of the governor’s extermination order, most Latter-day Saint settlers had gathered in the Marrow- Latter-day Saints sold their lands and homes at substan- bone (also called Ambrosia), Honeycreek, Lickfork, tially reduced prices or simply abandoned their property. and Grindstone Forks settlements. Hostilities erupted in mid-October 1838, forcing many in these outlying DAVIESS COUNTY (1837–38) areas to move to Diahman for safety and protection, swelling its population to as many as 1,500. When In 1837 a few Latter-day Saints began settling in Church leaders agreed to surrender and leave the Daviess County, north of Caldwell, but most came state in November 1838, Latter-day Saints evacuated in 1838. One of the most prominent settlers in the Daviess County and relocated temporarily in Cald- county was Lyman Wight. In February 1838 he pur- well County before making their way out of the state chased a farm and established a ferry on the Grand in early 1839. After the Latter-day Saints left, Adam- River in an area known as Spring Hill. On 19 May ondi-Ahman became known as Cravensville, after 1838, while visiting Elder Wight, the Prophet Joseph John Cravens. By the early 1870s, most of the remain- Smith received a revelation disclosing that Spring Hill ing settlers, who were not Church members, had “is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because . . . abandoned the community. it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his peo- ple” (D&C 116:1). CIVIL CONFLICT AND EXODUS Consequently, during the summer of 1838 a major settlement was established at Adam-ondi-Ahman From August through November 1838, a number of (called “Diahman” for short), and it became the most civil disturbances broke out between the Missourians populated community in the county. On 28 June and the Latter-day Saints living in northern Missouri. 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith organized a stake The entire conflict, known as the Mormon War, grew

“And Adam stood up in was in Jackson County, OCATION OF NCIENT VENTS the midst of the congrega- Missouri. When Adam was L A E tion; and, notwithstanding he driven out he went to the he Prophet Joseph Doctrine and Covenants was bowed down with age, place we now call Adam- Smith and President 107:53–56 being full of the Holy Ghost, ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, TBrigham Young have predicted whatsoever should Missouri. There he built an given us additional under- “Three years previous befall his posterity unto the altar and offered sacrifices” standing concerning the area. to the death of Adam, he latest generation.” (notes from a meeting, as called Seth, Enos, Cainan, quoted in Matthias F. Cowley, The Prophet Joseph Smith Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, President Brigham Young Wilford Woodruff: History of “In the afternoon [19 May and Methuselah, who were “I have never been in His Life and Labors [1909], 481). 1838] I went up the river about all high priests, with the Jackson County, now it is a half a mile to Wight’s Ferry, residue of his posterity who pleasant thing to think of and accompanied by President were righteous, into the val- to know where the garden of Rigdon, and my clerk, George W. ley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, Eden was. Did you ever think Robinson, for the purpose of and there bestowed upon of it? I do not think many do, selecting and laying claim to them his last blessing. for in Jackson County was a city plat near said ferry in “And the Lord appeared the garden of Eden. Joseph Daviess County, . . . which the unto them, and they rose up has declared this and I am as brethren called ‘Spring Hill,’ and blessed Adam, and much bound to believe that but by the mouth of the Lord called him Michael, the as to believe that Joseph was it was named Adam-ondi- prince, the archangel. a prophet of God” (Journal KEITH LARSON Ahman, because, said He, it is “And the Lord adminis- History of The Church of Y the place where Adam shall tered comfort unto Adam, Jesus Christ of Latter-day INTING B

come to visit his people, or and said unto him: I have set Saints, 15 Mar. 1857, 1). PA the Ancient of Days shall sit, thee to be at the head; a mul- President Brigham Young An angel of the Lord appeared as spoken of by Daniel the titude of nations shall come to Adam and Eve and gave Prophet” (History of the of thee, and thou art a prince “Joseph the Prophet, told them instructions concerning Church, 3:35). over them forever. me that the Garden of Eden Jesus Christ.

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N

Above: The Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. During his four-month incarceration, the Prophet wrote letters to his family, friends, and the Church. Right: Crooked River, Ray County. In October 1838 in the outlined area, Elder David W. Patten, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was killed along with three other men in an attempt to rescue some members held prisoner by the Ray County militia. primarily out of religious intolerance by a significant an end in late October and early November when portion of the local population residing in the northern Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs called out 2,500 counties, but a number of Latter-day Saints were also state troops to march on Far West and issued the to blame for their involvement in hostilities against “Extermination Order,” which called for the removal their neighbors. The most tragic scene associated with of all Mormons living in the state. At first Church these hostilities was a skirmish between Caldwell members gathered at Far West to defend themselves. County militia (LDS) and the Ray County militia As anti-Mormon militia lay siege to Far West, Church (non-LDS) at Crooked River. It resulted in the deaths leaders recognized the gravity of the situation and of four men: one Missourian and three members of the agreed to meet with state officials outside the city to Caldwell company, including Elder David W. Patten of negotiate a settlement. Once outside, the Prophet the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Joseph Smith and others were arrested and forced to The most brutal event was the attack at Haun’s capitulate to the governor’s demands. Mill in eastern Caldwell County on 30 October. In Following the surrender, more than 60 men were a community unprepared for an attack, 17 Latter- taken into state custody. A preliminary hearing was day Saint men and boys were killed and another held between 12 and 29 November in Richmond in 14 wounded. The Mormon War quickly came to the 5th Judicial Circuit Court of Judge Austin A. King.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 51 At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge King ordered the Twelve, supervised the removal of Church that the Prophet Joseph Smith, President Sidney members from Missouri. Adams County, Illinois, in- Rigdon, and President Hyrum Smith (the First cluding the city of Quincy some 170 miles eastward, Presidency), Caleb Baldwin, Alexander McRae, and became the temporary gathering place for the exiles. Lyman Wight be held in jail in Liberty, Missouri, to During the winter and early spring of 1839, hundreds stand trial the following spring on the charge of trea- of homeless families made their way across northern son against the state. In addition, Elder Parley P. Pratt Missouri to the Mississippi River and crossed over of the Quorum of the Twelve and four others were ordered to remain in the jail at Richmond, Missouri. Elder Pratt and three others were subsequently or- Below: Scene of Church members being driven from their homes dered to Boone County Jail in Columbia, Missouri, in Independence, Jackson County, in 1833. Right: Members made their exodus from the state of Missouri in the winter of 1838–39. to await a hearing. Led by Elder Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the With some Church leaders languishing in prison, Twelve, they journeyed across northern Missouri and crossed Elder Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Mississippi River into Quincy, Illinois.

VED Gentiles” (D&C 86:11; 103:9). promptly build a temple in Jackson David Whitmer, the leader of County, as had been commanded LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE a settlement eight miles west of by the Lord (see D&C 57:3; 58:57; Independence and one who suf- 84:3–5), was an additional cause

, ALL RIGHTS RESER fered through the Jackson County for receiving the Lord’s chastise- troubles, said that some of the ment (see also D&C 101:75; C. A. CHRISTENSEN,

BY Latter-day Saints “were continu- 105:9–13). The Lord later reiterated ally making boasts to the Jackson that the Missouri Saints “did not county people that they intended hearken altogether unto the pre- OUNG UNIVERSITY to possess the entire county, cepts and commandments which erect a temple, etc. This of course I gave unto them” (D&C 103:4) and BRIGHAM Y , TLEMENT IN MISSOURI, occasioned hard feelings and ex- that “Zion cannot be built up un- T cited the bitter jealousy” of their less it is by the principles of the

INT SET 1

A neighbors. In December 1833 celestial kingdom” (D&C 105:5). S Y

A Brother William W. Phelps, a When Latter-day Saints gathered -D Church leader in Missouri, wrote to Clay County later, the Lord in- TER T

A to the Prophet in Kirtland, lament- structed them to “talk not of judg-

TESY OF MUSEUM AR ing the “gloomy” prospects of the ments, neither boast of faith nor of exiled people, whom he thought mighty works” but to be sensitive © COUR THE FIRST L were victims largely of their own to “the feelings of the people” and B Y M AX H PARKIN others. But those who possessed imprudence. “I know it was right find “favor and grace in their faith in the Lord and His promises that we should be driven out of eyes” (D&C 105:24–25). n 1831, Latter-day Saints be- gradually acquired a deeper un- the land of Zion,” he confided, What other factors con- gan to gather to Jackson derstanding of Zion and discov- “that the rebellious might be sent tributed to the Saints’ situation in County, Missouri, hoping to ered that before the city of Zion away.”2 He noted that even Jackson County? The noted au- Ibuild the New Jerusalem, or the could be completely established, amidst their suffering, when the thor Washington Irving traveled city of Zion, which the Lord had there were many lessons to be members “are discreet, little or no to Jackson County in 1832 and informed them would be built in learned and gospel principles to persecution is felt.”3 wrote that the “fertility of all this that place (see D&C 57:2–3). be more diligently lived. When the Missouri Saints in- Western country is truly astonish- There they hoped to prosper in As Latter-day Saints prepared quired of the Prophet Joseph ing.” He also noted the unrefined peace and await the glorious ad- in 1831 to gather to Missouri, the Smith to know why such great character of many of its settlers. vent of the Son of God. Two years Lord warned them of Satan’s ef- persecution had come upon them, From Independence he wrote, later their neighbors expelled forts to incite others against them: the Lord said, “They have been af- “We have gradually been advanc- them. The Zion’s Camp efforts “Satan putteth it into their hearts flicted in consequence of their ing . . . toward rougher and to return the Saints to Jackson to anger against you” (D&C 63:28). transgression” (D&C 101:2). He re- rougher life.”4 Independence was County crumbled in 1834, fol- A year later, the Prophet Joseph proached them for the “jarrings, a frontier village and had a robust lowed four years later by their Smith, observing hostile conditions and contentions, and envyings, and sometimes lawless quality. expulsion from the entire state. in Jackson County, received a rev- and strifes, and lustful and cov- John C. McCoy, a county resi- elation for the members there on etous desires among them” (D&C dent, wrote that the incoming WHY DID THIS ATTEMPT the same point (see D&C 82:5). Yet 101:6). The Lord also said that Latter-day Saints and their neigh- TO ESTABLISH THE CITY Satan’s influence could have been “many, but not all, . . . were found bors were acutely dissimilar: “I OF ZION FAIL? reduced and perhaps much vio- transgressors, therefore they must will only say now that since the This perplexing question led lence avoided if Latter-day Saints needs be chastened” (D&C world began no two classes of to frustration for many early there had done what the Lord re- 101:41). They further learned from people were ever before thrown members and to apostasy for quested: “to be a light unto the this revelation that their failure to together who were so thoroughly

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COVENANTS CHURCH HISTORY VED TESY OF MUSEUM , ALL RIGHTS RESER C. A. CHRISTENSEN, © COUR BY OUNG UNIVERSITY BRIGHAM Y , T VING MISSOURI, LEA OF AR and completely unfitted to live to- Brother W. W. Phelps observed in a that the day is not far distant,” privilege of performing an important gether in peace and friendship.” In July 1831 letter from Independence stated a mob complaint, “when foundation-laying work for the future some ways, he said, “they were as that “the inhabitants are emigrants the Civil government of the county establishment of the city of Zion. wide apart as the poles.”5 from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, will be in their hands.”8 The early Missouri experience the Carolinas, &c. with customs, Yet despite their cultural differ- teaches vital lessons: (1) the omnis- IN WHAT SPECIFIC WAYS manners, modes of living and a cli- ences and the weaknesses and mis- cience and far-seeing nature of God, DID CHURCH MEMBERS mate entirely different from north- judgments of the Missouri members, (2) the central requirement for each AND THEIR NEIGHBORS erners, and they hate yankees the cruel and illegal atrocities per- member to live all the teachings of DIFFER? worse than snakes.”7 Though seem- petrated against Latter-day Saints by the Lord, (3) the urgency of building 1. Latter-day Saint religious be- ingly innocent, these differences mobs and others cannot be justified. temples when commanded by the liefs were seen by many Missourians fostered suspicion and distrust. Many of the expelled members in Lord, (4) the need to be nonthreaten- as peculiar. Beliefs in spiritual gifts Missouri were faithful ing, personally and culturally, to oth- and revelation, in being an elect peo- individuals whom ers, (5) the unnecessary sad fruits ple, in following a prophet, in claim- LEARNING FROM THE PAST the Lord called His of engaging in zealous statements ing a commission from God, and in “friends” (D&C 103:1; about doctrines and prophecies of angelic visitations aroused ridicule “Lessons from the past can quicken 105:26). To them the the kingdom of God. The leaders of from many. Lord said, “He that is the Church continue to teach that 2. The enthusiasm of some our memories, touch faithful in tribulation, followers of the Lord worldwide are members for establishing the city of our lives, and direct the reward of the to be people of goodness, meek- Zion generated tension. Sometimes same is greater in the ness, and wisdom. Wherever they this inordinate zeal to possess the our actions. We are kingdom of heaven” live, they are called both to love the valuable lands of their neighbors prompted to pause (D&C 58:2) and “Zion Lord with all their heart, mind, and and to spread the gospel message shall not be moved out strength and also to love their neigh- greatly annoyed early settlers, who and remember.” of her place, notwith- bors as themselves. For the Lord has feared that members might even President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency, standing her children said, “This is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART” use violence to acquire the land. “Your Eternal Voyage,” Ensign, May 2000, 47. are scattered” (D&C (D&C 97:21). 3. Economic patterns separated 101:17). them. Church members were seen The Lord did not Max H Parkin is a member of the as clannish. They did not purchase 5. Slavery, a practice that sepa- reveal all the reasons why this at- South Cottonwood 11th Ward, Salt Lake South Cottonwood Stake. goods from the local merchants, as rated the two peoples culturally, tempt failed, though He disclosed they had no money, but traded became a source of excited anxiety some. In His infinite wisdom, He Gospel topics: Church history, Zion, among themselves at the Church and a pretext, or at least an excuse, knew what would occur in Missouri obedience, persecution storehouse. This and the economic for hostility. When Brother Phelps and also knows when the city of Zion NOTES system the Church followed published an article in the July 1833 will be established there. In a revela- 1. Kansas City Journal, 5 June there—the law of consecration, Evening and Morning Star titled tion just a few days after the Prophet 1881, 1. 2. History of the Church, 1:457. wherein Bishop Edward Partridge “Free People of Color,” many settlers Joseph Smith’s first arrival there, the 3. History of the Church, 1:458. distributed Church lands to the protested to this and other items Lord told His faithful Saints, “Ye can- 4. In Pierre M. Irving, ed., The Saints—added to the unrest.6 printed in the newspaper by tearing not behold with your natural eyes, for Works of Washington Irving: Life and 4. Most local settlers had come down the Church printing house. the present time, the design of your Letters, 28 vols. (n.d.), 2:248–49. from the plantation culture of the 6. All of the above suggested po- God. . . . For after much tribulation 5. “The Other Side,” Kansas City South. Their mannerisms of speech, tential loss of political control in the come the blessings. . . . [And] for this Journal, 24 Apr. 1881, 9. dress, and other social conventions county and aroused enmity among cause I have sent you . . . that you 6. John C. McCoy, “A Famous differed greatly from Latter-day the leading class of residents who might be honored in laying the foun- To w n , ” Kansas City Journal, 18 Jan. Saints coming from the industrial wanted control for themselves. “It dation [of Zion]” (D&C 58:3–4, 6–7). 1885, 8. 7. Ontario Phoenix, 7 Sept. 1831. and small farm society of the North. requires no gift of prophecy to tell Thus, the early Saints had the 8. History of the Church, 1:397.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 53 Lord revealed, “When I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings . . . to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri” (D&C 124:49, 51).

Quincy, Illinois, from the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. THE CHURCH IN MISSOURI TODAY Citizens of Quincy opened their hearts and homes to the hun- dreds of families of homeless and suffering Latter-day Saints. For much of the 19th century, Latter-day Saint teamsters, emigrants, and missionaries crisscrossed Missouri. It was not until the beginning of the 20th into Quincy. There, citizens opened their hearts and century that the Church began to make progress to- homes to the suffering Saints, providing them with ward reestablishing a presence there. In 1904 the food and temporary employment. Central States Mission was created with headquarters Final hearings for the Latter-day Saint prisoners in Independence, and a Church publishing house in Liberty and Columbia Jails were never held. On there began operations, publishing the Liahona: The 25 January 1839, President Sidney Rigdon was to Elders’ Journal and missionary tracts. The Church be released from Liberty Jail by order of the court. has erected several buildings over the years on the However, it was 5 February before he was finally set Independence property, including a chapel (1914), free. The Prophet Joseph, President Hyrum Smith, mission home (1920), new mission office (1955), Caleb Baldwin, Alexander McRae, and Lyman Wight visitors’ center (1971), and stake center (1980). remained confined until The purchase of land they were transported and the development of during the first week historical sites have also in April to Gallatin in taken place in Caldwell, Daviess County for an- Ray, Clay, and Daviess other hearing. Shortly Counties. In 1909 the after their arrival, Judge Church purchased the Thomas Burch decided to original temple site, change the location of the which has been land- trial to Columbia. While scaped and includes en route, on the evening several historical mark- of 16 April, William ers. In Richmond, Ray Morgan, the Daviess County, Missouri, the County sheriff, permitted Church has erected and the prisoners to escape. Three Witnesses Monument in Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, dedicated an 11-foot, On 22 April these Missouri. Oliver Cowdery and Jacob Whitmer, witnesses to the 18-ton granite monument Book of Mormon, are buried here. brethren arrived in to the Three Witnesses, Quincy to the great rejoic- and more particularly to ing of their families and friends. honor the work of Oliver Cowdery. The monument, Meanwhile, the Latter-day Saint prisoners in erected in 1911, stands in the Richmond Pioneer Ceme- Columbia Jail remained confined for several more tery at the location of Brother Cowdery’s grave. months. With little hope that their case would ever One of the most frequently visited Missouri come to trial, Elder Parley P. Pratt and one other suc- Church history sites is the Liberty Jail Visitors’ cessfully escaped. The other two were eventually Center in Clay County. The property was purchased released. in 1939, and the Center was completed in 1963. The The Prophet Joseph Smith continued to ponder Visitors’ Center is located on the site of the original whether the Latter-day Saints should try to return to jail and includes a cut-away replica of the original Missouri and build a temple at the “center place.” The building, where the Prophet penned a letter during

54 CTRI
DO & NE
COVENANTS CHURCH HISTORY

Above: The St. Louis Missouri Temple. Dedicated in June 1997, this temple serves the Saints in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. Right: Liberty Jail Visitors’ Center. The domed building on the right houses the main exhibit. Below: The reconstructed, cut- away replica of the two-story jail inside the visitors’ center at Liberty. The prisoners spent the majority of their time in the lower room. his four-month incarcera- tion, portions of which can be found in three sections of scripture (see D&C 121–23). Seventeen stakes currently cover the state. However, the most Today, several thousand Latter-day Saints visible presence of the live and worship peacefully in the regions Church is not in western formerly inhabited by the early Saints, re- or northern Missouri, joicing in the improved conditions that but in the eastern part of the state. In 1997 the now prevail after more than 160 years. Zion, or the St. Louis Missouri Temple was dedicated as the New Jerusalem, will someday be established under 50th operating temple and can be seen by thou- the direction of the Lord prior to His millennial reign sands of passing motorists each day along (see A of F 1:10). Interstate 64. Alexander L. Baugh is a member of the North Field Eighth Ward, The number of Church members in Missouri Pleasant Grove Utah North Field Stake. has continued to grow during the past 50 years. Gospel topics: Church history, Missouri, New Jerusalem, Zion

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 55 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES

My Mentor By Joaquín Fenollar Bataller

was 24 years old when I first met Julio Martínez. At the time, I had great interest in Imeeting someone who could ex- plain the purpose of life to me and help me understand why I felt such a void in my soul. Julio, age 87, was just such a person. He en- joyed extraordinary physical and mental health. He loved nature and was always in a wonderfully good humor. We spent many sum- mer afternoons talking, and I came to admire him and his ideas. A philosopher who practiced what he taught, he became my mentor. One day, two and a half years after we met, Julio told me he had been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was dismayed. How could a man as wise and experienced as he was make such a decision? I respected him, however, so I respected his choice. We continued to visit fre- quently, but I would turn the con- versation to other matters whenever he began to talk about the Church. In time I began to notice some changes in Julio. His eyes had a new glow, and he became kinder, less critical, and more humble. I didn’t understand what was prompting the changes, and I was afraid of losing the good friendship we already had. But still I remained unresponsive to his invitations to learn more about his church. And so I ignored the Lord as He called to me. I believe He calls to each of us, often through other people, but we hear only if we have ears to hear—and only if we open our hearts. The Lord called MELISSA RICKS

Y to me several times, but my heart

TED B was closed. Then on 20 August 1998, at USTRA

ILL Julio’s urging, I met with some of

56 the Lord’s missionaries: Elder were 14 weeks premature. The Martinez, Elder Boyle, and Elder identical girls were under two Winward. For the first time, I rec- pounds each and struggled to ognized the voice that had been live. Taylor Manning, a friend calling to me. The Spirit bore such from our previous community of witness that my heart was soft- Wheaton, Illinois, helped my hus- ened and I was humbled. With band give a name and blessing to tears flowing down my cheeks, all three girls. By the end of the I asked myself over and over, second day, two of the three ba- How is it possible for the Savior to bies had died. All of our hopes love us so deeply? How did He come centered on the firstborn and to do what He did for us, for me? smallest, Hillary. Nine days later I was baptized. At two weeks Hillary required Thanks to Julio, my friend, I now open-heart surgery to close a know the love Jesus Christ has for valve. The surgery was successful, us and the fellowship that is found but she did not regain conscious- in His Church. Julio became like a ness after the anesthesia. Two grandfather to me, and I rejoice to days later she was still comatose. know that because of our Lord’s Our friend Taylor, whose job grace I found His eternal truth. brought him regularly to the facil- Joaquín Fenollar Bataller is a member of the ity where Hillary was receiving Gandía Branch, Valencia Spain District. care, felt prompted to cancel his Gospel topics: conversion, missionary work, round of appointments that day friendship, love, Jesus Christ and was waiting outside Hillary’s room when I arrived. As we looked at her gray, motionless body, Taylor asked if he could give A Friend to Ease Hillary a blessing, since it would be some time before my husband could arrive from his work in Our Burden Chicago. I agreed, and he went to By Janeen Aggen find another person to assist him. Following a simple but beautiful blessing, I met with Hillary’s doc- hen I first learned from tors and was told there was no my doctor that I was hope. They said she would live a going to have triplets, I few hours or a day at most. brokeW into a cold sweat and then I returned to her side and into tears. We already had three with tear-filled eyes began pray- young children, ages one, three, ing. Within minutes I saw her and six, and I wondered how I chest rise and fall with a jerky at- could possibly care for them and tempt to breathe (she had taken three new babies at the same time. no breaths of her own for three fter my friend Our family had just moved days). A minute later I saw an- Julio, age 87, into a new home that summer in other breath, then another. I Ajoined the Church, Illinois, and we were making the rushed over to a nurse and cried, I noticed that adjustment to a new community “My baby’s breathing! Come see!” and ward. Now came the chal- Hillary did continue to his eyes had a lenge of preparing for triplets, breathe, and after four months new glow, and he which was difficult to do when recovered completely. She was became kinder, my doctor insisted that I have released from the hospital a less critical, and complete bed rest. healthy, smiling four-pound baby more humble. When the babies came they girl. The victory was short-lived,

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 57 however. Within a week of coming family only as long as she needed worked as fast as we could to get home, she developed pneumonia that we might learn all we could the information I needed until they and was subjected to another pro- from her existence. He described left for England in keeping with longed hospital stay. Again we how the day before Hillary’s our itinerary. I felt I could not leave were told of her imminent death, death, as he went to add her yet; my urge to search the records and yet she lived and continued name to the temple prayer roll, of my grandfather’s family line to fight to recover. a prompting came that it was now seemed like true inspiration. During all this time, Taylor and no longer necessary. It didn’t take long for the staff his family supported us by cook- Taylor’s words brought me com- at the Kappeln archives to learn ing meals, watching our children, fort, and I felt an assurance that how important their records were and calling to inquire about Hillary had finished her time with to me. I was waiting at the door Hillary’s progress. Taylor made us here and was meant to be with each morning when they opened, sure her name was on the prayer her sisters and Heavenly Father. and I did not stop for lunch. They roll at the Chicago temple, where I know the Lord can prompt responded generously: not only he served weekly. I would often others to help comfort us as we did they allow me to stay when arrive at the hospital and find little face challenges in this life. Taylor’s they closed for lunch, but they of- encouraging notes from Taylor service and example taught me fered to open their doors an hour taped to Hillary’s isolette. Once, to look for opportunities to serve earlier each morning. Given my when my husband and I were others and helped me better appre- limited time, I was grateful be- showing obvious signs of distress, ciate the love Heavenly Father has yond expression. Taylor presented us with a gift for all His children. When I had searched through certificate for dinner at a lovely Janeen Aggen is a member of the Lenexa the births, marriages, and burials restaurant so that we could have Ward, Lenexa Kansas Stake. back to 1764, I asked myself, Where an evening to ourselves. I would Gospel topics: service, example, compassion, do I go from here? I knew the records often remark to my husband, children before 1764 had to be somewhere, “Why is Taylor so concerned about but where? At that moment I had Hillary and our family? Why does the impression, “You haven’t he care so much?” We felt lucky to looked.” Somewhat astonished, I be the recipients of such kindness The Hidden Book went to the building’s vault where and love. By Ruth Dorsett the records were kept and mut- The second time Hillary was tered, “Where haven’t I looked?” released from the hospital she was Some books up on the top shelf not a normal baby. The repeated n the summer of 1973, I suc- caught my eye. The spines on the and sustained lack of oxygen had cumbed to an unexplainable huge volumes were four inches severely damaged her brain. She urge to go to Europe in search wide. I mused to myself, I’ll bet the did not have normal sight, speech, Iof family history records. That is records are in those big books that no or movement. I was trained by how my two granddaughters and one has looked at for ages. To reach nurses to help care for her delicate I ended up copying records inside them I had to step up on the bot- needs. Later, I began taking her to a large old building in Kappeln, tom shelf. As I reached with my speech, occupational, and physical Germany. right hand to remove one of the therapists. Nevertheless, her con- I had felt impressed to concen- large volumes, I placed my left dition suddenly worsened, and trate my limited time on searching hand in a recessed corner to brace she passed away. out my Grandfather Thomsen’s myself and felt something there. As my husband and I planned people, who had lived in this re- After retrieving and setting down Hillary’s funeral, we asked Taylor gion, and the building we were in the massive book from the top to be the main speaker. In his re- housed the civil and religious shelf, I looked to see what I had marks he related how he had felt records of Kappeln back to 1764. felt with my left hand. It turned guided to become a special sup- We were unacquainted with the out to be a much smaller book, port to us through our trials and German language, but fortunately about one inch thick, over 14 that he had determined to do all the English-speaking curator ex- inches in length, and about six he could to ease our burdens and plained to us enough terms to un- inches wide. Its cover was the heartaches. He said he believed derstand the well-kept records. same color as the shelves, a non- that Hillary had stayed with our My granddaughters and I descript and unobtrusive tan. I

58 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES

opened it. Old Gothic script spread across the page. What was it? Understanding it was hopeless for me. I flipped to the back where the writing was more modern and found the name of a child born to parents whose records I had already assembled going back as far as I could, to 1765. What I was looking at now was the record of an older child born to those same parents in 1763. I was afraid to hope, but as soon as the staff returned from lunch I took the record book to the archivist. After some discussion and a long wait, he returned to tell me that the book was, in fact, just what I had thought—a record of the christenings of Kappeln going back to the mid-1600s. “You are right,” he said. “This is the Kappeln record, but we have never seen this record here,” he said. Having only a day and a half left to cover the entire record, I made arrangements with the staff to have a copy made. The 101 sheets I received covered the chris- tenings in Kappeln from 1656 to 1764 and produced many names my family and I would later sub- mit for temple work. Paper copies and a film of the book are now available in the Church Family History Library. I gratefully acknowledge the help that the Lord gives to those who sincerely seek the records of their ancestors. This experience confirmed to me the wisdom of the scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. hinking the books In all thy ways acknowledge him, Ton the top shelf and he shall direct thy paths” might contain the (Prov. 3:5–6). family records I was Ruth Dorsett is a member of the Blooming- looking for, I reached ton Hills Second Ward, St. George Utah for one of them. Bloomington Hills Stake. Gospel topics: family history, faith, personal revelation

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 59 “My ear hurts, Mom.” halfway up. Through the open Oh, no, I thought. Why does door at the top of the stairs, I Tr usting the Rest this always happen at night? “You’ll could hear whimpering sobs. just have to wait until morning, I could not take it. I couldn’t honey,” I told her. I couldn’t jus- just stand by, helpless, while my to the Lord tify the expense of an emergency- child suffered. I sank down on By Rondie S. Rudolph room visit for an ear infection. the stairs, tears running down I used all the home remedies I my face. I prayed. I pleaded. My om!” The high-pitched knew and tucked her in. “Try to hands trembled as I told the Lord “ wail made me wince. sleep now,” I said. “I’ll call the that I would do everything I could What now? I wondered. doctor as soon as her office opens to help my daughter but that I TheM children had recently gone in the morning.” would leave the rest up to Him. to bed, and I was going about my Downstairs again, I tried to After taking a few deep breaths, evening activities. My husband clean up and read, but I felt anx- I climbed the rest of the stairs, ap- was gone to a late meeting. ious and could not concentrate. proached my daughter’s bedside, I went upstairs, bracing myself I went to the kitchen and half- and smoothed the damp hair for what I thought was probably heartedly began to wipe the away from her forehead. another argument between sib- counters. Then with a sudden “It hurts bad, Mom.” The lings, and found my youngest motion I threw down the cloth. usual dimple in her cheek wasn’t child, Michaella, standing in I headed back upstairs to check there. Her face was waxy. Fatigue her nightgown and looking on Michaella, moving softly in and pain had made dark blue at me with red-rimmed eyes. case she was asleep. I stopped smudges under her eyes.

pproaching my daughter’s bed- Aside, I smoothed the damp hair away from her forehead. “It hurts bad, Mom,” she said.

60 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES

I decided I wouldn’t wait while my daughter sang. When until my husband returned from our turn on the program came, I his meeting; I would risk looking I Saw Beyond nervously took my place at the like an overanxious, overprotec- piano. I have heard my daughter tive, and overreacting mother. sing many times, but this time was “I’m going to call our home the Prison Bars special. There she stood, filling the By Pat Anderson teacher, OK?” prison walls with her beautiful Michaella nodded. voice and sharing her testimony I made the phone call, feel- s my daughter and I traveled through music. Even the inmates ing somewhat awkward. When with our group through the in the Family History Library I asked our home teacher if he gates of the prison, my un- stopped their work to stand in the could come over to give Michaella Aeasiness stayed in check because doorways and listen. I could tell a blessing, the answer was, “Of we would be participating in their hearts had been touched. course.” A short while later he sacrament meeting at the youth Returning to my seat, I looked arrived, smiling, as if driving out facility and not with the regular into the faces of those in the con- late at night was his favorite thing inmates. I thought about the gregation with a different attitude. to do. passage in Matthew where the As they listened to the words spo- While he performed the bless- Savior said, “I was in prison, and ken from the pulpit, many had ing I felt hope lighten my heavy ye came unto me” (Matt. 25:36), tears in their eyes. I was no longer heart. I thanked him as he left, and I felt it would be a good expe- afraid, but sorrowful. Somehow, it then put Michaella to bed again. rience to worship with these didn’t matter now what they had She was asleep within minutes. young brothers and sisters. done; I knew only that I cared for The next morning she seemed When we arrived, however, them. My heart ached for the cir- so much better, I was tempted to we learned that plans had changed cumstances they had brought upon skip calling the pediatrician. But and that we would instead be themselves, and I was close to tears. I had promised the Lord I would meeting with the male inmates in At the end of the meeting we do everything I could. So I called the main prison facility. This upset- were invited to sit with the con- the doctor. ting news caught me totally unpre- gregation for a gospel lesson. As Later that morning, as I sat pared, and I was frightened as we I sat among these men, I felt no on the hard wooden office chair, were escorted through metal detec- fear but a feeling of oneness. Was I watched the doctor closely. She tors, security doors, and gray hall- I really so different from them? peered through her otoscope into ways into the prison chapel. Certainly, I had not made unwise Michaella’s ear and pursed her The chapel was similar to choices that would cause me to be lips, blowing a silent whistle of many others I had seen except imprisoned, but I was still in need dismay. “You didn’t get much for the windows. Although letting of repentance. Were we not all sleep last night, did you?” It was in sunlight, they were heavily children of our Father in Heaven? more of a statement than a question. barred. Also, on one side of the After the closing prayer, the “Oh yes,” I said brightly. “She chapel was a Family History men gathered around us, shook slept straight through the night.” Library for use by the inmates. our hands, and thanked us for I took a mental photograph of Since the prisoners were still eat- coming. Some stayed to visit, the doctor’s astonished face. ing their evening meals, I had a telling us about their lives and I knew then that we had had chance to talk with our escort. I their families. I enjoyed being our own private little miracle. shared with him my fear about the with them. I even found myself Nothing spectacular had hap- change in plans. He tried to reas- praying for an opportunity to re- pened. No seas were parted, no sure me, but I was still afraid. turn. Three hours before, I had lepers cleansed, no dead raised. It When the guards finally es- not wanted to stay, and now I did had simply been a night of peace, corted the inmates into the chapel, not want to leave. I loved these without pain, for a little girl. I actually felt sick to my stomach. brothers in prison, and I knew For me, it was enough. I wondered what unspeakable God loved them too. Rondie S. Rudolph is a member of the things these men had done to be Pat Anderson is a member of the Crescent Louisville First Ward, Boulder Colorado Stake. here in this awful place. I couldn’t Ninth Ward, Sandy Utah Crescent South Gospel topics: prayer, priesthood blessings, wait to go home. Stake. home teachers I had come to play the piano Gospel topics: acceptance, judgment, love

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 61 Needa Discu sion? TryaChurchs Magazine

It’s not hard to turn an article into a successful family home evening, and you can tailor it to your family’s needs.

B Y G. G. VANDAGRIFF

y 16-year-old son looked at me in disbelief. “It can’t be my turn already,” he protested. “It seems like I just gave the family home eveningM lesson.” I replied: “You’ve won trophies for extempora- neous speaking, Morgan. It shouldn’t be too hard for you to put together a lesson.” He did, and it turned out to be one of the best lessons he had ever given. He used a New Era arti- cle on a subject that was important to him at that time in his life, one he was eager to share with the family. We had an excellent discussion, and his presentation impressed me so much that I later used the article as a basis for a Relief Society lead- ership lesson. It has been years since my son planned that family home evening discussion. But something that happened a few weeks afterward reinforced the lesson I learned from his experience: that Church magazines are excellent sources of material for family home evening discussions. I read in the Ensign a “Speaking Today” article by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of

62 the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, titled “Another what they have heard. Most Church magazine Testament of Jesus Christ” (Mar. 1994, 60). He referred articles or talks offer excellent conclusions. Elder to President Ezra Taft Benson’s urging that Church Scott summarized his topic with these points: members read and study the Book of Mormon to “Do what you can do, a step at a time. Seek to avoid the kind of condemnation of which early understand the principles of healing from the Church members were warned if they took the book scriptures and through prayer. Help others. For- lightly. Elder Oaks wrote of how this ancient scrip- give. ‘Submit cheerfully and with patience to all the ture bears witness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in will of the Lord’ [Mosiah 24:15]. Above all, exercise a way that none of the other standard works do. His faith in Jesus Christ.” article so enlightened my mind that I had to share it Knowing your family helps you personalize your with my family at the next family home evening. discussions. I like the approach my daughter used to Afterward, we rededicated ourselves to study the reinforce her points after one discussion. Propped on Book of Mormon as a family. my mirror is a card with this admonition printed in The words of our prophets and related material her hand: “Always give love. Don’t sit around and approved by the Church can be found in each of the wait for it.” Simple. Direct. Effective! It is something Church magazines—Ensign, New Era, Friend, and tangible that will remind me always of the words she Liahona (the Church’s international magazine). But taught, like hearing her testimony again. how do we develop a home evening discussion from With a little thought on your part—and remem- a magazine article or conference talk? ber, thinking can be guided by the Holy Ghost when It helps to start with the principle or theme, the you prayerfully seek our Father’s help—you can major truth you wish to teach your family. Once, for find a wealth of material in Church magazines for example, I constructed a lesson from “To Be Healed,” vital, topical family home evening discussions. a conference address by Elder Richard G. Scott of In a modern society whose cultural climate often the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, May seems parched by worldly ideas—amoral, immoral, 1994, 7–9). As a principle, I took the quote printed and profane—our souls and the souls of our families directly under the title: “The surest, most effective, quickly become spiritually thirsty, in need of the re- and shortest path to healing comes through applica- freshment provided by righteous ideals and words tion of the teachings of Jesus Christ in your life.” As of faith. Next time your family home evening well I read the talk, I saw that for me two ideas stood out seems to run dry, try turning to one of the Church to support its theme: help from the Lord always fol- magazines for water. lows His eternal laws, and healing help comes G. G. Vandagriff is a member of the Sherwood Hills Ward, Provo through Jesus Christ when we have a broken heart Utah Edgemont North Stake. and a contrite spirit. Gospel topics: teaching, Church magazines, family home evening, To support that first main idea, I chose a picture parenthood of Jesus Christ praying in Gethsemane, and I ex- plained to the children that even our Savior had to submit to the will of Heavenly Father. It is usually A FEW HELPS FOR TEACHING FROM CHURCH MAGAZINES not difficult to find pictures that help make your points in Church magazines or among other materi- Each magazine has a guide on the last page that suggests als you already have at home. ways to use the articles at home, church, and in our personal lives. Other ways of emphasizing main ideas might The magazines also have an annual index in the December include a Primary song for the young children (for issue. This can help you find articles on specific topics. In ad- example, “Keep the Commandments,” Children’s dition, the Ensign prints an index in each general conference Songbook, 146), hymns for older family members, issue—May and November—listing both the subjects and scriptural references, or word strips. speakers from that conference. The Ensign places “Let’s Talk about It” questions at the The best illustration—and often the best way to end of some articles, suggesting ideas for discussion. All start a family discussion—is usually a story, espe- articles have a list of gospel topics at the end, suggesting cially when teaching children. The best story is one principal topics for which the article might be useful in that happened to you or to someone else your chil- teaching. dren know. Once you capture their attention with Each magazine offers short accounts ideal for illustrating a narrative, it is easy to share your thoughts on the principles. In the Ensign and Liahona, look for Latter-day Saint Voices. Stories can often be found in longer articles also. The particular principle involved. They will know that New Era offers both true and fictional stories. The Friend you know what you are talking about. offers story texts of interest to older children and illustrated STEVE BUNDERSON

Y Every family home evening discussion benefits scriptural stories and activities to catch the interest of from a conclusion that helps family members retain younger children. PHOTO B

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 63 LATTER-DAY COUNSEL

ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW have only one question: are you suppose no one is as handsome going to follow the true and living or as beautiful as he or she wishes, THE ROPHETS P ? prophets or not? It really isn’t any or as brilliant in school, or as “Because of the Restoration of more complicated than that. The witty in speech, or as wealthy the gospel, we live in a time when standard of the Church with re- as he or she would like, but in a so many of the teachings of God gard to morality is clear. If you world of such varied talents and have been made known—when choose to read anything that con- fortunes which we can’t always the gifts and blessings of the tains material that is contrary to command, I think that makes priesthood and the doctrines of the moral standards of the even more attractive the qualities all previous dispensations have Church, then you are placing we can command—such qualities been given to us. There never has yourself and your own wisdom as thoughtfulness, patience, a been a greater time than this to be above the counsel of God and His kind word, true delight in the living on the earth. But we also prophets—a course of action that accomplishment of others. These must never forget that Satan would indeed be very unwise. As cost us nothing, and they can knows our Heavenly Father’s soon as you begin to think that mean everything to the one who plan. He and his fallen followers you know better than the leaders receives them. . . . are active and doing all they can of the Church, that our counsel “In a dating and courtship re- to thwart God’s plan and destroy doesn’t apply to you, you are step- lationship, I would not have you the faith of His children. I need to ping onto a slippery slope that has spend five minutes with some- caution you about some impor- claimed far too many victims al- one who belittles you, who is con- tant ways that Satan is carrying ready. It takes real desire and un- stantly critical of you, who is cruel on his destructive crusade. equivocal, unreserved faith to at your expense and may even call “Please be very careful in your accept and to live prophetic coun- it humor. Life is tough enough choice of entertainment. Far too sel even when you may not com- without having the person who is much that is being shown in the- pletely understand it. Such sincere supposed to love you lead the as- aters, on television, on videos, desire and simple faith has the sault on your self-esteem, your and over the Internet is insidious, power to guide you safely through sense of dignity, your confidence, sleazy, and dangerous. Do not every challenge you may face in and your joy. In this person’s care ever watch the filth of pornogra- your life.” you deserve to feel physically safe phy, which is a powerful tool of Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum and emotionally secure. the devil designed to destroy of the Twelve Apostles, “That We Might spiritual sensitivity and kill the Know,” devotional address, BYU—Hawaii, desire to know the will and the 25 Jan. 2001. teachings of the Lord. Strive al- ways for those things that are ATING AND ISCIPLESHIP ‘virtuous, lovely, or of good report D D or praiseworthy’ (A of F 1:13). “There are many qualities you The prophet Mormon taught will want to look for in a friend or that ‘whatsoever thing per- a serious date, to say nothing of a suadeth men to do evil, and be- spouse and eternal companion, lieve not in Christ, and deny him, but surely among the very first and serve not God . . . is of the and most basic of those qualities devil’ (Moro. 7:17). will be those of care and sensitivity “Now, I’m aware there may be toward others, a minimum of self- a few of you who think that you centeredness, evidence of genuine know better than the leaders of compassion and courtesy. ‘That the Church about this subject. best portion of a good man’s life You may even argue that there is [is] his . . . kindness,’ said Mr. artistic merit or that ‘everyone is Wordsworth (“Lines Composed a doing it.’ You may believe that Few Miles above Tintern Abbey,” you are not one of those people lines 33–35). There are lots of limi- who will be influenced by on- tations in all of us which we hope screen sex or violence. To you I our sweethearts will overlook. I

64 “Members of the First Presi- the true path of love and happi- TIONAL- dency have taught that ‘any ness for you and your sweetheart.”

form of physical or mental abuse Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum , DET NA to any woman is not worthy of of the Twelve Apostles, “‘How Do I Love any priesthood holder’ (James E. Thee?’” devotional address, Brigham Faust, “The Highest Place of Young University, 15 Feb. 2000.

Honor,” Ensign, May 1988, 37) ARL HEINRICH BLOCH C BY

and that ‘[no] man who holds the ORG, HILLERØD OMING TO NOW HRIST priesthood of God [should] abuse C K C his wife in any way, [or] demean “We know our loving Father AN WOMAN, FREDERIKSB or injure or take undue advan- in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Å MARIT tage of [any] woman’ (Gordon B. Christ, most often minister to our A Hinckley, “Reach Out in Love and needs through the efforts of typical, Kindness,” Ensign, Nov. 1982, 77). garden-variety people like you and CHRIST AND THE S And that includes friends and me. We too often look for dramatic, HISTORISKE MUSEUM P dates, sweethearts and fiancés. . . . divine intervention in our lives and “ . . . In Mormon’s and Paul’s lose sight of Jesus in the crowd of everlasting source to His cher- final witness they declare that marvelous, kind, thoughtful, and ished children in need. We ‘charity [pure love] never faileth’ generous people who live the prin- largely determine who will re- (Moro. 7:46; 1 Cor. 13:8). It is ciples of the gospel of Him who is ceive the water as we, by our there through thick and thin. It our Savior and Redeemer. . . . service, control the irrigation sys- endures through sunshine and “Over the centuries people tem headgates. We preserve the shadow, through darkest sorrow have been introduced to the Savior purity of the water as we reflect and on into the light. It never in many different ways. For the to the world the value of the liv- fails. So Christ loved us, and that Apostle Paul it was during the mir- ing water in our own lives. If we is how He hoped we would love acle that occurred on the road to irrigate when the living water is each other. In a final injunction Damascus. Many have come to required, rather than when it is to us He said, ‘A new command- know Christ as they have been ex- convenient for us, we determine ment I give unto you, That ye posed to the written testaments of its vitality. It is only the living love one another; as I have loved Book of Mormon prophets. Still water of Jesus Christ that can you’ (John 13:34). Of course, such others are extended introductions and will bring a happy, success- Christlike staying power in ro- by the legions of missionaries who ful, and everlasting life to the mance and marriage requires labor with devotion. Neighbors feel children of men. . . . more than we naturally have. the Savior’s presence as their souls “So many of our Father’s chil- It requires an endowment from are softened by the kindly deeds of dren are burdened with earthly heaven. Remember Mormon’s others. Caregivers come to feel the cares or with the stain of sin, promise—that such love, the love warm glow of the gospel of Jesus as poverty, pain, disability, loneli- we each yearn for and cling to, is they unselfishly minister, often for ness, bereavement, or rejection. bestowed upon true followers of extended periods, to the needs of The living water of Jesus is sure Christ (see Moro. 7:48). You want family members and friends. For and certain to those who find capability and safety in dating some, crises and disasters encour- Him and trust Him. He who and romance, in married life and age them to reach for the security stilled the winds and waves can eternity? Be a true disciple of blanket offered by Him who offers bring peace to the repentant sin- Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, perfect consolation. For most peo- ner and to the suffering saint. We word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. ple, the discovery of Jesus comes by as His agents are not only to de- Believe that your faith has every- the method He authored Himself: clare His word but also to deliver thing to do with your romance, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall the living water unto the least of because it does. You separate know of the doctrine’ (John 7:17), His brethren, just as He Himself dating from discipleship at your and ‘Seek me diligently and ye would do if He were here.” peril. Or to phrase that more pos- shall find me’ (D&C 88:63). . . . Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding CRAIG DIMOND Y itively, Jesus Christ, the Light of “ . . . As His disciples, we are the Bishop, “The Living Water of Jesus the World, is the only lamp by primary distribution system for de- Christ,” fireside, Brigham Young PHOTO B which you can successfully see livering the living water from its University, 9 Jan. 2000.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 65 fter the accident, IA was racked with grief and guilt.

66 COULD I LEARN TO FORGIVE? My world was turned upside down when my mother was killed. Would I ever feel peace again?

B Y R ENEÉ R OY H ARDING hen I was 21 years old, my mother was killed After listening to Mom for a few minutes, I stood by a drunk driver. I thought there would up and began yelling that I was tired of her worrying be no end to my grief. But as more details and nagging and sick to death of her “talks.” I was Wemerged about the drunk driver, Mr. Olsen,* my grief fine! I could take care of myself! I stomped out of the turned to anger. Mr. Olsen had been involved in two house toward my car. Mom followed, pleading with other alcohol-related accidents previous to the one in- me to “Please, just listen!” I jumped into my car and volving my mother. His driver’s license had been re- hurriedly backed out of the driveway. She just stood voked, but he continued to drink and drive anyway. there with a pained look on her face that I tried to In fact, when he ran over my mother, he was so in- ignore. As I drove away, she forced a smile, waved, toxicated he didn’t even realize he had hit and killed then began blowing kisses the way she always did someone. I wondered, Was he also unaware that she when my brothers and I left the house. was a single parent and that losing her was like hav- That is the last memory I have of my mom alive. ing both our mother and father taken away from my My younger brother, Joe, who was home that day, two brothers and me all at once? And did Mr. Olsen said that not long after I had stormed out of the have any idea how devastated the children in my house, Mom came in and asked if he wanted to go mother’s kindergarten class were when they were to the store with her to buy a gallon of milk. He said told that Ms. Roy would never be coming back? I al- no. She left, and less than an hour later, there was a lowed my hostility to grow inside me, and I vowed I knock at the front door. Joe opened it to find a man would never forgive this man for what he had done. standing there, asking for a picture of Mom to see if In addition to the bitterness I felt toward Mr. she was the woman who had just been killed in a car Olsen, I also harbored potent feelings of anger at my- accident down the street from our house. self. The last time I had seen Mom, less than an hour After Mom’s death, as hard as I tried, I could find before the accident, I had behaved badly toward her. no peace, no solace, no answers in a world that had I was about to leave for work when Mom begged me suddenly been turned upside down. Eventually I re- to sit for just a minute to talk. I rolled my eyes and be- alized that even though I had turned my back on all grudgingly plopped into a chair at the kitchen table. that I knew to be true, I couldn’t erase the memory She reached over to take my hand, but I snatched it of the strength, guidance, and comfort the gospel can away and folded my arms in defiance. provide. I wanted and needed that back in my life. Mom began, as usual, by saying how much she But was it too late? I had been deliberately rebel- loved me and how worried she was about me. I wasn’t lious. Racked with shame and guilt, in anguish I eating right; I wasn’t sleeping enough; I was taking prayed, begging for forgiveness. Soon I realized that too many classes at school and working too many Heavenly Father was the same kind of parent my hours at my job. mother had been: full of love and quick to hear my Deep down I knew Mom was right; I just wasn’t cries, even though I felt undeserving of both. I knew I

ready to admit what a wrong turn my life had taken. could sob to my Heavenly Father the way I used to cry WLOR Among other things, in the years following high on my mom’s shoulder, secure in the knowledge that SAM LA school graduation I had quit going to church and she would somehow make it all better. Y

started partying. I met with my bishop many times in the months TED B

that followed. One night as I left the bishop’s office, USTRA

* Name has been changed. so happy to finally feel the heavy weight of my sins ILL

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 67 FORGIVENESS BRINGS PEACE

beginning to lift, I had a startling “It can be As I introduced myself to Mr. realization: Did I wish that the man done. Man can Olsen, his attorney’s eyes grew wide who killed my mother would suffer and he looked afraid of what I may and be punished forever for his sins conquer self. say or do to his client. Not wanting while I was forgiven for mine? And Man can him to worry, I quickly reached over could I really expect to be forgiven overcome. and took Mr. Olsen’s hand. With if I was unwilling to forgive him? strength and clarity I said, “Mr. Mr. Olsen hadn’t meant to kill Man can forgive all who have Olsen, for what it’s worth, I want Mom. The more the truth of these trespassed against him and go you to know I forgive you.” The things haunted me, the more I real- words caught in my throat for a ized that the Spirit of the Lord was on to receive peace in this life second as I realized how much I directing me to do something. and eternal life in the world really meant what I was saying. I made some telephone calls and to come.” Mr. Olsen’s mouth fell open and found out when Mr. Olsen’s day of President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), he looked at me, stunned. He did sentencing was scheduled. On the The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), 300; not say anything in response, but appointed day, nervous and shaking, emphasis in original. as I released his hand and turned I drove to the courthouse. As I away, I felt an overwhelming sense prayed for strength, I wondered of peace and relief. I knew my what Mom would feel if she were to see him in the Father in Heaven was pleased with what I had done. courtroom. As I tried to picture this, I could only visu- I later had the privilege of serving in the Tokyo alize Mom as radiant and happy, completely free of North Japan Mission. I felt the joy of teaching the anger. It was clear to me that malice can slow or stop wonderful people of Japan about a Savior who was our eternal progression and separate us from the love human and knows all the challenges we will experi- of our Father in Heaven and the Savior. I knew more ence in mortality. He and Heavenly Father are always than ever that forgiveness was the key to the peace I so ready to catch us when we feel ourselves falling, ready desperately craved. to help us down a road that will lead us to new levels I was shaking so badly by the time I reached the of understanding. We’re here on earth to learn diffi- courthouse that I could hardly walk. As I approached cult lessons, and our Heavenly Father and Savior will Mr. Olsen and his lawyer outside the courtroom, I was never abandon us. Their desire is to help us come caught off guard by Mr. Olsen’s appearance. In my unto Them and become more like Them. mind I had made him into a monster. But standing be- After my mission, I married a wonderful young fore me was no monster, only an aged, frail man wear- man in the Salt Lake Temple. We have been blessed ing a tired, beaten-down expression. As deep as my with two lovely daughters. I know that the despair had been after Mom’s death, I realized Mr. blessing of forgiveness and the Savior’s Olsen’s was every bit as deep. His wa- suffering on my behalf have enabled tery eyes were bloodshot; his shoul- me to experience this joy. ders drooped. While I had a I think often not only about Mom testimony of the Savior and a sure but also about Mr. Olsen. My heart knowledge that I was deeply still hurts for the man I regretfully loved by Him who has the once vowed never to forgive. power to right all wrongs, Mr. Now I hope missionaries will Olsen looked utterly alone in find him and teach him about his suffering. How tragic that all the miraculous, joyous bless- this child of God probably ings that await us through the had no idea of his divine love and sacrifice of our Savior, worth or Heavenly Father’s Jesus Christ. wondrous plan. I was suddenly Reneé Roy Harding is a member of the able to feel compassion for him Sugar Land First Ward, Houston South as it occurred to me how much Texas Stake. we had in common. Mr. Olsen Gospel topics: forgiveness, repentance and I were both so in need of mercy, forgiveness, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing ervous and trembling, we can be forgiven. Our very lives I approached Mr. Olsen. depended upon it. N

68 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the SACRED MUSIC IN THE HOME Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Blessing Our observed that worthy music can Sacred music has tremendous also help us withstand the tempta- power to help us learn and live Lives and Homes tion to think unworthy thoughts: gospel principles. A sister was asked “What do you do . . . when the stage to talk to some youth in a seminary of your mind is commandeered by class about Church music. Her first with Sacred Music the imps of unclean thinking? . . . question to the youth was, “What Use [a favorite] hymn as the place were some of the lessons you were he First Presidency has iden- for your thoughts to go. . . . As the taught in Primary?” There was no tified the value of sacred music begins and as the words response. Then she asked the stu- music. “Hymns,” they wrote, form in your thoughts, the unwor- dents if they could remember any T“invite the Spirit of the Lord.” On thy ones will slip shamefully away” Primary songs. Many hands were a personal level, “hymns can lift (“Inspiring Music—Worthy raised, and the youth shared count- our spirits, give us courage, and Thoughts,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, 28). less song titles. The sister wrote move us to righteous action. They gospel principles on the chalkboard, can fill our souls with heavenly and Primary songs and hymns thoughts and bring us a spirit of “ each your children to were listed under each principle. peace.” When taught and sung at love the hymns. Sing Those young people quickly under- home, they “can bring families a themT on the Sabbath, in stood that music teaches principles spirit of beauty and peace and home evening, during scrip- of the gospel, and songs and can inspire love and unity among ture study, at prayer time.” hymns—and the messages they family members” (“First Presidency teach—are remembered for years. Preface,” Hymns, ix–x). A home in which sacred music is used to teach gospel principles is A SOURCE OF PERSONAL STRENGTH a home open to the influence of the Sacred music opens our hearts Holy Ghost. That is one reason the to the influence of the Holy Ghost, First Presidency has counseled par- and it is one of the means by ents: “Teach your children to love which our Father in Heaven the hymns. Sing them on the blesses and strengthens us. Sabbath, in home evening, during A sister who had struggled scripture study, at prayer time. with serious health prob- Sing as you work, as you play, lems for many years was in and as you travel together. Sing constant pain. A few years hymns as lullabies to build ago, she underwent some faith and testimony in your prolonged and painful young ones” (Hymns, x). medical tests. Afterward, As we fill our lives she was asked how she and our homes with the was able to withstand songs of Zion, we will YER DOTY

O the tests. “I sang in my “serve the Lord with head every Primary gladness,” and we will YNN B song I could remem- “come before his pres- SHERI L

Y ber,” she replied. “The ence with singing”

TED B pain did not go away, (Ps. 100:2). but I was given Gospel topics: music, hymns, USTRA

ILL strength to endure.” Primary songs

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 69 RANDOM SAMPLER

had to be within the budget. The Happy Birthday, Finances only restraint was the driving distance. The activity had to be something we could do in a day’s Dear Ancestor and Family Fun drive from home, and all activities nce a month, as a special ne year when we could had to meet Church standards for Sabbath activity, I bake a not afford an elaborate entertainment. Each team made cake and honor our direct- family vacation, we came their plans, then presented them lineO ancestors whose birthdays Oup with an alternative plan that to the rest of the family to make fall during that month. I place resulted in one of the best vaca- sure we didn’t have duplications each ancestor’s name and birth- tions we ever had. This plan was and to help everyone know what day on a yearly calendar so I not only entertaining but also to expect. know at a glance who we will helpful in teaching our children We were delighted with the honor that month. financial responsibility. varied ideas that sprang up as the Usually, after our family has During family home evening, teams tried to find something re- enjoyed cake and ice cream, I read my husband and I divided the ally fun to do within the budget. the biographies of our ancestors or money we had saved for our fam- We discovered our family mem- share an interesting fact or story ily vacation into equal amounts bers had great imaginations. The about them. If I have any of their for each of the five vacation days. activities varied from attending a heirlooms, I show those and ex- Then we grouped everyone into basketball game, which included plain their significance teams of two. Each team was a three-hour drive from home, as well. This activity given money (cash in an enve- to watching rented videos while helps to acquaint our lope) and assigned to plan ac- snacking on popcorn and candy children with their tivities for one day and one and later sleeping on the family heritage and does night. The activities could room floor. We had many differ- not require a great include one night where ent activities, and the children deal of preparation. we stayed in a hotel, but it developed skills in planning, —Marlene Cameron budgeting, and leadership. Thomas, Recently, I received a letter Pellissippi Ward, from my college sophomore Knoxville son, Brad, in which he said, Tennessee “Today I was reflecting on Stake how nice it was on that family vacation when you let us each choose the activity for a day and gave us each a budget. So many families never get to do something so cool.” Not only was it a great learning experience for the children, but they are able to look back on it many years later with positive, happy feelings.—Sharlene T. Barber, Farragut Ward, Knoxville Tennessee Stake

70 Primarily for Family

e have had success familiar with the topics and in our family home scriptures being presented and evenings by basing are more involved in family Wour lessons on the Primary home evening. Memorizing the theme for the month. Our chil- monthly scriptures is also easier dren, ages three to nine, grasp because of the charts printed in the concepts more quickly be- the Friend. We have found that cause of the uniformity between even our three-year-old has been lessons taught in family home able to memorize several short evening, Primary, and in the scriptures. Church magazines. Some arti- Other helpful resources for cles in the Friend correspond to planning a successful family these monthly themes. home evening are the Family Home We also choose songs from Evening Resource Book (item no. the Children’s Songbook to match 31106, U.S., $5.00) and Family the lesson topics. Often, we find Home Evening video supplements that these same songs are being (53276, 53277, $5.00 each). These practiced in Primary singing resources may also be checked out Using time. By singing these songs from ward or branch libraries. with our children during family By applying these practices home evening, they become in our lives, our children receive Children’s Art more familiar with them and valuable instruction during fam- ards that use preprinted enjoy singing them in Primary ily home evening that allows sacrament meeting cov- and Church musical programs. their testimonies and ours to ers can save money by By focusing on the monthly grow.—Gib and Kimberly AKER Wphotocopying the artwork of the Primary theme, we have found Condie, Powell Third Ward, Primary children. In our ward, that our children are more Cody Wyoming Stake this idea has also increased the BETH M. WHITT Y children’s excitement about sacra-

TED B ment meeting.

USTRA To accomplish this, our ILL : Primary has one sharing time early in the year in which the chil- dren illustrate a favorite scripture story or gospel topic in pencil. The JOE FLORES; RIGHT Y ward librarians darken the art and

TED B photocopy the program informa- STRA

U tion on the blank side. Other cov-

: ILL ers are sometimes used, but the ward members anticipate each de- VE RIGHT O lightful contribution from the chil- dren. The response of our ward members has been wonderful, and the children are happy to LANA LEISHMAN; AB

Y play a small part in sacrament meeting.—Patsy Shipley, Idaho

: PHOTO B Falls 26th Ward, Idaho Falls

LEFT Idaho Central Stake

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 71 A Better Mother, with The Savior’s example in dealing with others helps me overcome stress and discouragement and find joy with my children. B Y C HERYL C OLE B URR

s a mother of five children, I constantly turn to I pondered the stories of women who had been the Lord for help and support. I have learned barren, such as Rachel, Elizabeth, and Sarah. I pic- that the key to any success I experience as a tured the joy these women must have felt as they motherA is to live the way the Lord would have me were blessed with children. With gratitude, I realized live. that children are a blessing to be cherished. Early on as a mother, I struggled with These accounts of mothers in the myriad emotions. I spent much of the time scriptures increased my desire to feeling exhausted, discouraged, and enjoy my time at home with overwhelmed. Well-meaning friends my children rather than gave me advice, and I spent hours leave them in a quest for reading articles and books on how personal fulfillment out- to adjust to and cope with the de- side the home. mands of motherhood. However, As I studied the I became even more discouraged Savior’s example, I when the general solutions seemed to include having few children, focusing more on myself, and engaging in ac- tivities outside the home. Then I decided that instead of looking for the answers in maga- zines and books, I would start read- ing the scrip- tures with a focus on ask myself what the finding the Lord might do in a answers I Isimilar situation, and was seek- ARSON then I follow what I ing. The

DEL P think His example Y most helpful ideas came would be.

AINTING B from studying the examples MODELS; P

Y of mothers recorded in the scrip- tures as well as the perfect STEVE BUNDERSON, POSED B

Y example of Jesus

PHOTO B Christ.

72 the Lord’s Help

realized that He did exactly opposite of what the world •Often I bear my testimony that Heavenly Father advises mothers to do today. As He labored to preach wants me to be their mother, and I promise them I will the gospel, He must have reached points of exhaustion always try my hardest to do a good job. I remind us all and discouragement. At one point, the Savior’s disci- that we can be with Heavenly Father again, as a fam- ples tried to make things easier for Him by discourag- ily, and we talk about how glad we are to be together. ing people from bringing young children to Him. As I bear my testimony to my children, the Spirit “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, often softens my heart and I feel a stronger love for and said unto [His disciples], Suffer the little children my children. I feel my burdens slowly lift as I look at to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is life and my children with an eternal perspective in the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). mind. After studying the life of Jesus Christ, my goal as a •I try to include my children in whatever I’m do- mother became to have my children come to the Lord ing. If I’m cooking dinner, I may give everyone a job and also to me—to give them the time and attention in the kitchen. My children love to sweep, vacuum, they deserve, even when I’m not quite feeling up to put away clean dishes, wrap potatoes in aluminum it. As I have worked toward developing this kind of foil, and help out in a number of ways. Sometimes atmosphere in our home, I have discovered several when I’m preparing a lesson for Primary Sharing ways to encourage my children to come to me—that Time, the children will engage in a similar activity, is, to feel a stronger sense of understanding, peace, such as cutting figures out of their coloring books. and comfort in my presence. Moreover, the following We enjoy the feeling of working together, side by side. points have helped me to more successfully respond •I have found that prayer has greatly increased to the demands of motherhood. my ability to cope with the demands of motherhood •The first thing I do is make a conscious effort to and to enhance my relationship with my children. change the way I look at motherhood, especially dur- There are times when I want to lock myself alone in ing stressful moments when a child is crying or cov- my bedroom for a good cry. When I feel this low, I ered in dirt or refuses to obey. I try to think eternally, pray for an increase of patience, understanding, and remembering my role as a mother in the eternal love toward my children. I pray for guidance and scheme of things. I’ve found that my children some- specific ideas that will help my children come to me how sense when I am seeing things with an eternal and all of us to come to Christ. Sometimes when I perspective, and our interactions are more peaceful pray, I am blessed to feel confident and capable; other and patient. times I have a particular idea come to mind. I always •When I feel tense or pushed to the breaking feel strength from my Savior, buoying me up and point, I ask myself what the Lord might do in a simi- comforting me. lar situation, and then I follow what I think His ex- Reading scriptures, studying the Savior’s life, try- ample would be. Usually this requires adjusting ing to do as He would do, and praying for guidance my goals or priorities to match those of the Savior. have helped me be a better mother. And not only Switching gears is hard, but having my children come have these actions improved my mothering skills, to me in moments of upset has enriched the love I but I’ve experienced a greater joy in being a mother feel for them and for motherhood. as well. I look forward to spending time with my chil- I’ve learned that in tense moments, sitting down dren, and I’ve found that the key to any success I ex- with my children gathered around me can be calming perience as a mother—or in any other capacity—is to and peaceful. Sometimes I hold each child and tell live the way the Lord would have me live. them one at a time how grateful I am that Heavenly Cheryl Cole Burr is a member of the North Field Eighth Ward, Father sent them to my husband and me. Together Pleasant Grove Utah North Field Stake. we read books and scriptures or sing Primary songs. Gospel topics: motherhood, love, service

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 73 NEWS OF THE CHURCH

made holy by those who long ago were buried here. We make the cemetery a part of these grounds.” President Hinckley was accompanied by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and by Elder Donald L. Staheli, Elder Monte J. Brough, and Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy, who comprise the North America Central Area Presidency. Because of the special significance of Winter Quarters in Church his- MARK ROMESSER Y tory, the first session of the temple’s dedication was broadcast to meeting-

PHOTOGRAPHY B houses throughout the Some 61,000 people attended the open house for the Winter Quarters Temple. United States and Canada, where temple-worthy members were able to Winter Quarters, Guadalajara Temples Dedicated watch the proceedings. resident Gordon B. Recognizing the spiri- they slowly returned. The only previous temple Hinckley dedicated the tual and historical signifi- Today we have stakes and dedication that was simi- PWinter Quarters Nebraska cance that Winter Quarters wards with large congre- larly broadcast was the Temple in four sessions on represents, President gations. Songs of thanks- Palmyra New York Temple 22 April 2001. Hinckley said in the tem- giving fill our hearts. dedication on 6 April 2000. Located in what is ple’s dedicatory prayer, Crowning all is the pres- The local community now a suburb of Omaha, “The ground on which this ence of a temple on this of Florence, Nebraska, Nebraska, Winter Quarters sacred structure stands was hallowed ground. . . . We has been very receptive was once a refuge for thou- hallowed a century and a dedicate the ground on to the new temple. sands of Latter-day Saint half ago by the suffering which it stands, ground Church members and pioneers en route to the of Thy Saints. Here they which has already been the community worked Salt Lake Valley. Between stopped temporarily, hun- June 1846 and October 1848 dreds and thousands of alone, some 2,000 Church them on both sides of the members died at Winter Missouri River, while mov- Quarters due to heavy ing westward from their storms, inadequate provi- homes in Nauvoo, or from sions and shelter, scurvy, the British Isles and Europe malaria, and the Saints’ to the valley of the Great weakened condition after Salt Lake. Many of them being driven from Nauvoo died here and are buried in or crossing the seas from the cemetery adjacent to Europe. Winter Quarters this holy house. Great were became a place that tested their trials, tremendous the faith of thousands who their sacrifice. . . . struggled through sickness “Now the generations President Gordon B. Hinckley, left, directed the cornerstone cere- mony. Standing to his left are Elder L. Tom Perry; members of the and wilderness to reach have come and gone. Our North America Central Area Presidency (Elder Donald L. Staheli, their eventual destination people left here. Then for President, Elder Monte J. Brough, and Elder Bruce C. Hafen); in the Salt Lake Valley. reasons of employment Sister Marie Hafen; and Sister Doris Butler, temple matron.

74 together to beautify the Elder Lynn A. area before the temple’s Mickelsen and Elder open house. Local children Gary J. Coleman of handcrafted flowers for the Seventy, and Elder store fronts and decorated Adrián Ochoa, Area historic sites and markers Authority Seventy. with balloons. Over 61,000 The Guadalajara people attended the open temple is the Church’s house. One visitor com- 105th operating tem- mented, “I am grateful for ple and Mexico’s 11th. your generosity, that we CH NEWS It will serve more than who are not Latter-day CHUR 60,000 members in 16 Saints can rest for a while stakes and 8 districts in in your temple and feel the southwestern Mexico.

presence of Jesus Christ.” ASON SWENSON, Some 13,000 people at- J Members of the Y tended the temple’s Winter Quarters temple open house, and 6,520 district, which includes PHOTO B members attended the The Guadalajara Mexico Temple will serve more than 60,000 the Des Moines Iowa, members in 16 stakes and 8 districts in southwestern Mexico. dedication. Independence Missouri, Local Church members Omaha Nebraska, and people of this land. May endowment of righteous- said the temple’s dedica- Rapid City South Dakota those who govern look ness that will become the tion filled them with joy. “I Missions, are especially upon Thy people with re- guardian of their culture can’t describe the emotion struck by the significance spect and with a desire to and the lives they live.” that filled us as . . . our of a temple now existing be helpful. Wilt Thou bless Assisting President beloved prophet blessed at Winter Quarters. “This them and the nation for Hinckley in the dedicatory our homes, our country area, once a staging ground their friendliness to Thy services were Elder Henry B. and its leaders, and our for pioneers going west, work. . . . Eyring of the Quorum of land,” said Graciela Garcia once a point of departure, “May all who enter [the the Twelve Apostles and of the Moctezuma Ward, has now become a destina- temple] do so worthily. Wilt members of the Mexico Guadalajara Mexico tion for modern Latter-day Thou seal upon them an North Area Presidency: Moctezuma Stake. Saint pioneers as they come to the house of the Lord,” said E. Louis Butler, of the Quorum of the Winter Quarters temple Twelve Apostles received president. President and Sister Hinckley, an honorary doctorate of Christian service from GUADALAJARA MEXICO Elder Wirthlin Receive Brigham Young University TEMPLE on 26 April. Elder Wirthlin Honorary Doctorates advised graduates to work President Hinckley hard, serve others willingly, dedicated the Guadalajara resident Gordon B. President Hinckley urged and remain faithful to the Mexico Temple in four ses- Hinckley and Sister graduates to be kind, lov- teachings of the gospel. sions on 29 April. In his PMarjorie Hinckley each re- ing, decent, and honest. “Whatever your honorable dedicatory prayer he said, ceived honorary doctorates “These things are so simple work may be, give it the “We thank Thee for the from Utah Valley State that they scarcely seem best that is in you,” he progress of Thy work in College on 27 April, just worthy of mention,” he said. “Let your name al- this great nation of Mexico. two days before their 64th said. “And yet they are the ways be associated with Move it forward, dear wedding anniversary. very fabric of life. When all diligent effort and uncom- Father. Touch the lives and President Hinckley re- is said and done, when you promising quality—even hearts of great numbers of ceived a doctorate of reli- have lived your life and when there appears to be people who will hearken gion and humanity, and grown as old as I am, you no reward, even when it to the message of truth Sister Hinckley received recognize that it is the sim- appears no one is watch- and come into the fold a doctorate of humane ple virtues that count, that ing. If you give the best of Christ. Bring about letters. make the great difference of yourself to your labors, the miracle of conversion Speaking at the com- in our lives.” you will be rewarded among the great and good mencement exercises, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin tenfold.”

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 75 New York’s Ellis Island Genealogy Records Released n 17 April Elder Russell M. Nelson of SACRAMENTO NEVADA theO Quorum of the Twelve CC Apostles spoke at the dedi- ALAL cation of the American II FF P O Family Immigration A RR History Center, a state-of- C N AIRS II the-art historical and ge- I AA F nealogical facility on New I C York City’s Ellis Island. O REDLANDS Elder Nelson was joined C NEWPORT E BEACH by U.S. Secretary of the A Interior Gale Norton and TESY OF CHURCH PUBLIC AFF N MEXICO Ellis Island Foundation founding chairman Lee Three Temples Iacocca.

Years after Ellis Island PHOTOGRAPHY COUR Announced was abandoned, concern Elder Russell M. Nelson addresses dignitaries and others gathered over decay of the land- at the genealogical center’s dedication. for California mark led to the inclusion of the island as part of the public. More than 12,000 center, which houses a ew temples will Statue of Liberty National volunteers from 2,700 22-million-record database soon be built in Monument in 1965. Private Church units in the U.S. of every immigrant who NSacramento, Redlands, and citizens then formed the and Canada, and a group legally entered the United Newport Beach, California. Ellis Island Foundation, of 100 family history mis- States through Ellis Island The three temples, an- which, with the U.S. sionaries at the Church’s and other New York ports nounced on 20 April, will National Park Service, is Family History Library, between 1892 and 1924, bring the total number of dedicated to preserving logged more than five peak immigration years. In temples in the state to the island’s unique build- million hours during the center, users can search seven. Nearly 750,000 ings and history. seven years, extracting the for their ancestors and cre- Latter-day Saints live in In 1985 the foundation records from ship passen- ate Web-based genealogi- California. asked the Church for assis- ger manifests and entering cal scrapbooks. The three new temples tance in making the immi- them into the database. Also on 17 April, the will serve a total of about grant records of Ellis Island The result is the new database of immigrant 188,000 members in the more accessible to the history and genealogy records was made avail- Sacramento area (in north- able on the Internet at ern California), in the in- www.EllisIslandRecords.org. land area east of Los The site was extremely Angeles, and in Orange popular immediately upon County (located just south opening, registering some of Los Angeles County). 26 million successful hits in The announcement its first week alone, equal- generated high-profile ing 27,000 hits per second. articles in many California The collection, which newspapers and brought includes at least one ances- much enthusiasm among tor of an estimated 40 per- local members. “It’s one cent of all Americans, was of the most joyful days released on 17 April be- of my life,” said Richard cause it is the anniversary Porterfield, a member of of the day Ellis Island pro- the Harbor Hills Ward, cessed the most immi- Newport Beach California grants ever—11,747 on Some 12,000 Church volunteers extracted 22 million records from Stake. ship passenger lists and entered them into the Ellis Island database. 17 April 1907.

76 received a request from the state at 1:00 P.M., and within a few hours over Elder Loren C. Dunn Dies at 70 In the Spotlight 150 members had shown lder Loren C. Dunn, 70, from Brigham Young up at the site, many of Ean emeritus member of University in 1953 with MEMBERS HELP PROTECT them staying until 10:00 P.M. the First Quorum of the degrees in journalism COMMUNITY FROM FLOODING to fill about 20,000 sand- Seventy, died on 16 May of and economics. He served bags,” said President complications incident to a Church mission to When the Mississippi Durfey. “It was so touch- surgery. At the time of his Australia, then a tour of River and the Minnesota ing that these families and death he was serving as duty with the U.S. Army in River reached record levels individuals would spend president of the Boston Germany. He later received in April, members from Easter Sunday serving in Massachusetts Temple. a master’s degree in public five stakes in the St. Paul- this way.” Elder Dunn was sus- relations from Boston Minneapolis Minnesota Air Guard captain Jeff tained as a General University and worked area helped protect their Merricks was grateful for Authority on 6 April 1968. as a newspaper editor. community. Over a period the help. “I would not have He served as President of He married Sharon of two weeks, some 500 been able to save this build- six of the Church’s geo- Longden on 15 December Church volunteers logged ing without the support of graphical areas around 1959 in the Salt Lake thousands of hours sand- the volunteers,” he said. the world and, in addition, Temple. They are the bagging, repairing, and was an executive adminis- parents of five children. monitoring dikes and lev- SALVATION ARMY AND trator or counselor in other During general confer- ees to keep the rivers in CHURCH SEND AID Area Presidencies. ence in October 2000, their banks. “State emer- TO UKRAINE He served as execu- Elder Dunn bore a power- gency services quickly tive director or assistant ful testimony of the re- learned they could call on The Salvation Army executive director in the stored gospel: “I know that the Church for hundreds and the Church teamed Church’s Correlation, Jesus Christ is our Savior of volunteers,” said David up in April to send more Curriculum, Family and our Redeemer and Durfey, second counselor than $100,000 worth of History, Historical, and that He has purchased us in the Burnville Minnesota aid to Ukrainian orphan- Missionary Departments. by the shedding of His Stake presidency. ages and senior citizens. He also served as presi- blood and by the anguish Even on Easter Sunday, The Salvation Army dent of the Australia which He suffered on when flooding threatened provided 209 boxes Sydney Mission and of Gethsemane. This, my to destroy a large Army filled with new clothing, Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. brothers and sisters, is the National Guard headquar- medical supplies, and Loren Charles Dunn gospel of Jesus Christ. This ters and hangar at a local laundry and hand soap, was born on 12 June 1930 in work is true” (“Testimony,” airport, many Latter-day and the Church con- Tooele, Utah. He graduated Ensign, Nov. 2000, 14). Saints joined with mem- tributed flour, beans, bers of a Jewish volunteer dry milk, hygiene kits, group to sandbag. “We quilts, and blankets. George Hill, Former Seventy, Dies eorge Richard Hill III, Improvement Association Appointments formerly a member superintendencies and as a Gof the Seventy, died on regional representative. ollowing are temple Omaha Nebraska 22 April at age 79. Born 24 November 1921 presidents and Papillion Stake, have Elder Hill was called in Ogden, Utah, he was a matronsF recently called been called to serve at the to the First Quorum of the scientist who had served to temples in areas Winter Quarters Nebraska Seventy on 4 April 1987 and as dean of the College of served by the Ensign Temple. was sustained to the Second Mines and Mineral Industry (United States, Canada, Marty McCoy and Quorum of the Seventy at the University of Utah United Kingdom, Suzanne Web McCoy, when it was organized in and as director of the Office Australia, and New Centerville Ward, 1989. He was released on of Coal Research for the Zealand): Fremont California Stake, 3 October 1992. Prior to his Department of the Interior. E. Luis Butler and have been called to serve call as a General Authority, He is survived by his Doris Book Butler, at the Oakland California he had served in two gen- wife, Melba, and their Ralston-LaVista Ward, Temple. eral Young Men’s Mutual seven children.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 77 parents make decisions providing a wonderful based on what’s in the best blessing both for the child interest of the child,” says and for the child’s adoptive Brother Riley. “Typically family.” birth mothers are told by Another purpose of the others, ‘You can single- ad campaign is to heighten parent; here’s the govern- awareness of the adoption ment aid you can get.’ services provided by LDS Many are told they should Family Services. Among consider abortion. Hardly other services, the organi- anyone says, ‘Have you zation provides free coun-

UKE thought about adoption?’” seling to birth parents and Brother Riley says the ads their parents, medical and JOHN L Y support the First Presi- legal arrangements, and

PHOTO B dency’s position that adoption education classes In a television ad sponsored by LDS Family Services, actors por- adoption is a positive solu- for prospective adoptive tray prospective adoptive parents meeting with a single expectant tion when marriage is not parents. mother. The ad is part of a campaign to promote adoption as feasible (see “Policies and The annual conference a positive choice for unwed parents. Announcements,” Ensign, at BYU is for members Apr. 1999, 80). of Families Supporting LDS Family Services: The ads were created Adoption, a national orga- by Bonneville Communica- nization sponsored by LDS Adopting a Noble Cause tions and the Church’s Family Services. Audiovisual Department. Those involved in BY REBECCA M. TAYLOR Assistant Editor was launched in April this Curt Dahl of Bonneville the adoption promotion year. The ads constitute Communications hopes the campaign are gratified to ast summer as Melissa* a major part of efforts ads help dismantle the idea hear stories of people like was watching televi- throughout the United that birth mothers who Catherine and Glen, a cou- Lsion, a public service an- States and Canada by LDS choose adoption are taking ple who were beneficiaries nouncement caught her Family Services to promote the easy way out. “If any- of a birth mother’s deci- attention. In the ad, a adoption as a positive thing, they are doing the sion to place her baby for young boy expressed his choice. Other efforts in- most noble thing,” says adoption through LDS appreciation for his birth clude the staging of a con- Brother Dahl, who with Family Services. Catherine mother, who had placed ference at Brigham Young his wife adopted a baby vividly remembers the mo- him for adoption. University to promote girl seven years ago. “They ment four years ago when “I just broke down and adoption; this year the are doing something that a tiny baby with masses cried,” says Melissa. Single third annual conference in many instances is a lot of dark hair was placed and pregnant, she had takes place on 27–28 July. more difficult than keep- in her arms for the first been wrestling with the “We hope to help ing the child. They’re time. “The bond was im- decision of what to do for mediate,” she says now. her unborn child. The tele- “We just loved him and vision spot—sponsored by knew he belonged to LDS Family Services—was our family.” one of many factors that Catherine hopes the influenced her ultimately adoption campaign encour- to choose to place her baby ages other unwed birth for adoption. mothers to consider adop- Fred Riley, commis- tion, particularly through sioner of LDS Family LDS Family Services. “We Services, hopes other un- have so much respect for wed mothers-to-be are mothers like Jackson’s birth similarly touched by the mother,” she says. “It was a commercials. The ad cam- huge sacrifice on her part, paign was initiated last but she wanted what was year, and a new campaign best for Jackson. For that, When Catherine and Glen adopted their son, Jackson, four years she’ll always be in our *Name has been changed. ago, they were able to realize their dream of becoming parents. hearts.”

78 light display, which was recently called one of the AN nation’s top 10 Christmas light displays.” TED MORG Y The Church has a rich heritage in metro Phoenix.

: PHOTO B The Mormon Battalion passed through Phoenix’s Maricopa County in 1846.

TES, INC.; INSET In 1877 Latter-day Saints settled in the county, and and industrial center of the a year later other incom- Southwest, with a metro ing Mormon pioneers population of 3.1 million, founded Mesa, today a

: PHOTO © JESSEN ASSOCIA Phoenix is both “cowboy major Phoenix suburb. The

RIGHT and cosmopolitan,” a Mesa Arizona Temple was Above: A view of Phoenix, Arizona. Inset: Gilbert Arizona Stake city marked by high-rise dedicated in 1927. A com- youth team up with St. Anne’s Catholic Church youth to serve office buildings as well munity park monument their community. as Spanish colonial and honors Mesa’s Latter-day Native American pueblo Saint founders. Church Being Good Neighbors architecture and colors. growth in Phoenix itself is “There are numerous rooted in the 1913 forma- in the Valley of the Sun high-profile Latter-day tion of the Phoenix Branch, Saints in business, politics, which became a ward five oting nearly 125 years was wonderful.” community affairs, and years later. As Phoenix’s of Latter-day Saints President John W. sports among our 154,000 population soared in sub- Nas important partners Lewis’s nearby Gilbert metro members,” says sequent decades, so has in Arizona’s sprawling Arizona Stake had a similar Ron Bellus, Phoenix multi- the Church’s population. Phoenix area, known as experience. As has occurred stake public affairs special- “We are visible enough the Valley of the Sun, Mesa in the past two years, hun- ist. “The Church here is that sometimes there Arizona Maricopa Stake dreds of stake youth com- also well known for our might be a few detractors,” president Wilford W. bined with hundreds of annual Easter Pageant and says President Andersen. Andersen says, “Fortu- St. Anne’s Catholic Church Christmas light displays on “Yet we feel that though nately, the gospel of Jesus youth in service projects. Mesa temple grounds. The some may want to debate Christ functions here as This year more than 300 pageant has been called what a Christian ought to it does everywhere else. youth and leaders painted, ‘fabulous’ by the media. believe, no one ought to When it really gets into repaired, and landscaped It’s a first-class production debate how a Christian our hearts, it helps us be homes of four elderly per- on the life of the Savior. ought to act. We’re trying kind, charitable, and ser- sons, prepared an acre at About a quarter-million to be good followers of the vice oriented to others the Gilbert town garden for persons attend yearly, and Lord.”—Jay M. Todd, around us.” planting, pulled weeds at a a million persons see the Managing Editor President Andersen park, and cleaned books at knows whereof he speaks. the town’s library. “I cannot Not long ago members of tell you how much we look his stake, one of 47 in the forward to these service Phoenix area, built bridges projects with St. Anne’s. of friendship with neigh- Our stake congregations boring Shilo Missionary and St. Anne’s congrega- Baptist Church members. tion truly feel bonded in Stake members helped the genuine friendship,” says .

small African-American President Lewis. Y JR congregation build their Little wonder that the church on evenings and Church is seen as an active MARK MABR Saturdays. “We took our partner in the United Y plumbers, carpenters, and States’ sixth largest city, electricians and rolled up widely known for its dry, PHOTO B our sleeves with them. It warm climate. The cultural The Easter pageant held on the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple draws about a quarter-million visitors each year.

THE ENSIGN/JULY 2001 79 Abuse” (Apr. 2001). I’ve been in and help many other victims of abuse. and miracles taking place there are out of Church activity for the past 15 Name Withheld unforgettable. My testimony was years due to my feelings of guilt and strengthened as I soon realized inadequacy resulting from the abuse Strengthened by Kenyan Pioneers how blessed many of us are and Comment I suffered as a child. This article has “Pioneering in Chyulu, Kenya” how we sometimes take for granted Healing from Sexual Abuse given me the strength to make an (Feb. 2001) was one of the most in- the ease with which we go about Thank you for having the appointment to talk with my bishop spirational articles I have read. The our daily lives. courage to publish the article “Heal- and seek his counsel. I know that brothers and sisters in Kenya are Kathy Ord ing the Spiritual Wounds of Sexual this powerful, honest article will truly pioneers. The trials, obstacles, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Did You Know? Some families keep art Making the Most from inside front and back Ensign covers on file for future use in teaching fam- of This Issue ily home evening lessons or for lessons in Church JULY 2001 classrooms. Articles such as “From High Hopes to for your next family family about serving others, Despair: The Missouri home evening? Try for example, start a discus- Period, 1831–39” (p. 44), turning an article sion by reading “A Friend with its ample use of photos from a Church to Ease Our Burden,” and illustrations, can also magazine into a p. 57. be helpful later discussion. See • Teach your family in teaching, as “Need a Family about seeing others can art packages Discussion?” as Heavenly Father that are printed p. 62. Families sees them. Read and in the magazine. with young children also discuss “I Saw beyond Each year, Ensign can base home evening the Prison Bars,” p. 61. support of the lessons on the monthly Sunday School Taking the Word Protecting Yourself course of study to All the World Primary theme. See p. 71. • Want a simple, effective from the Plague offers many valu- Did you know that the way to help your children What would you do if able illustrations that can be Book of Mormon is now learn about their ancestors? there was a deadly disease saved for use in teaching. available to billions of people See p. 70. sweeping through your This year’s course is the on earth? Latter-day Saint • Are your vacation community? Learn how to Doctrine and Covenants scriptures strengthen mem- funds tight? Try an alterna- protect yourself and your and Church history. bers on every inhabited conti- tive, less-expensive vaca- family from pornography. GOSPEL TOPICS nent, thanks to the Church’s tion that helps you teach See p. 2. Acceptance, 61 Love, 56, 61, 72 efforts to take the revealed your children how to man- Home Teachers and Adversity, 21 Missionary work, 56 word of God to all His chil- age money. See p. 70. Agency, 6 Missouri, 44 dren. See “Taking the Scrip- • Most stories from Latter- Visiting Teachers Children, 32, 57 Morality, 2 tures to the World,” p. 24. day Saint Voices can be used Find the monthly mes- Church history, 24, 44 Motherhood, 72 Church magazines, 62 Music, 14, 69 Music to the Soul for family home evenings. sages on pp. 2 and 69. Compassion, 57 New Jerusalem, 44 If you want to teach your Conversion, 56 Obedience, 6, 38 What is it about sacred Want to Be a Better Father? Courage, 38 Parenthood, 62 music that stirs our souls Looking for ways to Decisions, 36 Personal revelation, 58 and invites the Spirit? For strengthen your relation- Disabilities, 21 Pioneering, 38 thoughts on this topic Evil, 2 Pornography, 2 ship with your children? Example, 57 Prayer, 60 and the inspiring story See “One-on-One with Faith, 58 Priesthood bless- of one young life, see Dad,” p. 32. Family history, 58 ings, 60 “The Power of Family home Primary songs, 69 Hymns,” by evening, 62 Purity, 2 Fatherhood, 32 Repentance, 66 Elder Merrill J. Forgiveness, 66 Scripture study, 24 Bateman of the Friendship, 56 Service, 57, 72 Seventy, p. 14. Holy Ghost, 21 Spiritual promptings, 6 Home teachers, 60 Teaching, 62 Family Time Hymns, 14, 21, 69 Temple marriage, 36 Inspiration, 24, 36 Testimony, 21 • What are Jesus Christ, 56 Truth, 6 you going to do Judgment, 61 Worship, 14 Light, 6 Zion, 44

80 Carry On,by Glen S. Hopkinson

As Latter-day Saint pioneers migrated westward, the Lord counseled that special provisions be made for widows and families without fathers (see D&C 136:8). Pioneer women were called upon to show great courage, resourcefulness, and stamina as they helped move their families to settlements in the western United States. study my word which tudy my word which hath gone forth among the which hath gone forth among tudy my word of men, and also children S shall come forth among the children of men . . . until shall come forth among the children you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the of men in this generation, and then shall all children (D&C 11:22). things be added thereto” “

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